Architecture

Metal-faced Rooftecture OT2 house harbors surprisingly inviting interior

Metal-faced Rooftecture OT2 house harbors surprisingly inviting interior
The imposing metal outer shell of the Rooftecture OT2 house in the heart of Osaka, Japan masks a spacious, light and airy family home within (Photo: Stirling Elmendorf)
The imposing metal outer shell of the Rooftecture OT2 house in the heart of Osaka, Japan masks a spacious, light and airy family home within (Photo: Stirling Elmendorf)
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The imposing metal outer shell of the Rooftecture OT2 house in the heart of Osaka, Japan masks a spacious, light and airy family home within (Photo: Stirling Elmendorf)
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The imposing metal outer shell of the Rooftecture OT2 house in the heart of Osaka, Japan masks a spacious, light and airy family home within (Photo: Stirling Elmendorf)
Looking rather like a giant desktop PC case, the Rooftecture OT2 family home is surrounded by buildings on three sides (Photo: Stirling Elmendorf)
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Looking rather like a giant desktop PC case, the Rooftecture OT2 family home is surrounded by buildings on three sides (Photo: Stirling Elmendorf)
Its north face opens onto a busy street in the heart of Osaka, Japan (Photo: Stirling Elmendorf)
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Its north face opens onto a busy street in the heart of Osaka, Japan (Photo: Stirling Elmendorf)
The steel exterior and chainlink door handle are not the most welcoming introduction to the Rooftecture OT2 house (Photo: Stirling Elmendorf)
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The steel exterior and chainlink door handle are not the most welcoming introduction to the Rooftecture OT2 house (Photo: Stirling Elmendorf)
A large entrance vestibule on the ground floor leads to a spacious, light and airy family home within (Photo: Stirling Elmendorf)
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A large entrance vestibule on the ground floor leads to a spacious, light and airy family home within (Photo: Stirling Elmendorf)
A wooden stairway runs up the center of the house (Photo: Stirling Elmendorf)
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A wooden stairway runs up the center of the house (Photo: Stirling Elmendorf)
The modern, open-plan kitchen looks out onto the living room as light pours in through the slats in the steel outer shell (Photo: Stirling Elmendorf)
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The modern, open-plan kitchen looks out onto the living room as light pours in through the slats in the steel outer shell (Photo: Stirling Elmendorf)
A central atrium acts as a focal point for family members and benefits from skylights to brighten the area below (Photo: Stirling Elmendorf)
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A central atrium acts as a focal point for family members and benefits from skylights to brighten the area below (Photo: Stirling Elmendorf)
The outer steel shell is perforated to let in light and air (Photo: Stirling Elmendorf)
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The outer steel shell is perforated to let in light and air (Photo: Stirling Elmendorf)
The building's internal walls and ceilings are made from oriented strand board (OSB) panels and hardwood flooring features throughout (Photo: Stirling Elmendorf)
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The building's internal walls and ceilings are made from oriented strand board (OSB) panels and hardwood flooring features throughout (Photo: Stirling Elmendorf)
By night, the Rooftecture OT2 house begins to reveal its once-hidden secret world (Photo: Stirling Elmendorf)
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By night, the Rooftecture OT2 house begins to reveal its once-hidden secret world (Photo: Stirling Elmendorf)
View gallery - 11 images

They say that walls can talk and if the cold, windowless metal exterior of the Rooftecture OT2 house in downtown Osaka, Japan says anything, surely it's "Leave me alone." Those lucky enough to make it through the front door (complete with forbidding chainlink door handle), however, are in for a bit of a shock. In stark contrast to its outer shell, the family home offers a warm and welcoming diffused light and mixed wood interior comfortably spread over three levels.

Sandwiched between two other buildings, with yet more behind, the Rooftecture OT2 home was designed by the Shuhei Endo Architect Institute. The client having stipulated that the house should have a secure facade but be able to let in both light and air, Endo's project team came up with an outer shell made of perforated steel that lets natural light and air through.

Looking rather like a giant desktop PC case, the Rooftecture OT2 family home is surrounded by buildings on three sides (Photo: Stirling Elmendorf)
Looking rather like a giant desktop PC case, the Rooftecture OT2 family home is surrounded by buildings on three sides (Photo: Stirling Elmendorf)

The Rooftecture OT2 houses a family of five (two adults and three small children) over three stories with a total floor area of 127.7 square meters (1,374.5 sq ft). The master bedroom is located to the back of the ground floor, with toilet and storage space out front. Moving up the central Japanese cypress steps brings you to the open-plan kitchen and dining area and the north-facing living room, with the deck outside the walk-through windows.

A wooden stairway runs up the center of the house (Photo: Stirling Elmendorf)
A wooden stairway runs up the center of the house (Photo: Stirling Elmendorf)

Continuing up the stairs will bring you to the children's bedroom and the bathroom. A central atrium acts as a focal point for family members and benefits from skylights to brighten the area below, which can also be opened to let in more air if needed. The building's internal walls and ceilings are made from Harvest Panel and oak flooring features throughout.

By night, the Rooftecture OT2 house begins to reveal its once-hidden secret world (Photo: Stirling Elmendorf)
By night, the Rooftecture OT2 house begins to reveal its once-hidden secret world (Photo: Stirling Elmendorf)

While by day the family fortress appears impenetrable, as darkness falls and the lights inside get switched on, passers-by are allowed a glimpse of the otherwise secret world within.

Source: Shuhei Endo via Designboom

View gallery - 11 images
2 comments
2 comments
Fahrenheit 451
Utterly fantastic in its execution of materials for the sake of the material itself! Just the perfect blend of material selection as most are too heavy on one aspect or another. There's no such thing as absolute perfection, but this piece of architecture comes as close as humanly possible.
MBadgero
The curb appeal is marginally better than a Quonset hut.