APOLLO / Satoshi Kurosaki

FRAME" realized lower costs and a shorter construction period by replacing the wooden formwork normally used for fair-faced concrete with FRP, which can be converted to other materials.

The house, which houses the studio of the owner, a fashion photographer, is located in an area susceptible to flooding in the event of torrential rains, so the first-floor level was raised 800 mm to secure the ceiling height of the studio on the first floor.

The façade, characterized by a large single pane of glass, is made of RC with randomly arranged FRP formwork, with rain-resistant hardwood "itauba" used for the walls and eaves as an accent, creating an exquisite contrast between wood and concrete.

Teak wood was also used for the second floor ceiling, which can be seen through the sash windows, to create a sense of unity with the exterior. Inside, the floors, furniture, and fixtures are all made of teak wood. The light coming through the large openings creates a beautiful gradation of shades on the floor, walls, and ceiling. The third floor free room, which is planned to be used as a children's room in the future, has an outdoor living room of similar size and can be used for large parties by installing a table tennis set and a swimming pool.

The interior walls are highly insulated with 60 mm insulation cast into them, and the rooftop is waterproofed with a frame waterproofing material to achieve both functionality and cost reduction. As Japan accelerates its post-earthquake reconstruction efforts and preparations for the Tokyo Olympics, demand for low-cost RC construction projects like this one is expected to increase as construction costs continue to rise due to a shortage of human resources and materials.