The Klein Blue House
Abstraction becomes home
Type:
Residential
Location:
Tokyo, Japan
Year:
2025
Client:
N/A
Spatial Composition: Harmony of Function and Aesthetics
The interplay of shadow and light is central to architectural expression, shaping spaces and giving them dimension. Yet, the same depth and vibrancy can also be achieved through the deliberate and thoughtful use of color. This concept lies at the heart of our architectural proposal, the Klein Blue House, where color becomes the protagonist in the narrative of space and time. Klein Blue, a shade renowned for its intensity and depth, unites these diverse spaces into a cohesive whole. In daylight, the house radiates a vivid brilliance, capturing the energy of Tokyo's dynamic environment. The blue hums with life, its surface shifting with the interplay of natural light and shadows. In a city like Tokyo, where density often eclipses individuality, the Klein Blue House stands as a beacon of thoughtful design—a reminder of how color, like light, can evoke emotion, create dimension, and transform space.
Serenity in Saturation
The library bathes in blue, becoming a sanctuary of calm. Its shelves stand like a temple of books, carrying forward the narrative of knowledge and introspection.
Green in Dialogue with Blue
The street-facing façade pairs vertical plant growth with the uninterrupted blue, blurring the boundary between built form and vegetation.
Yin–Yang of Color and Flame
Within this singular form lies a floating ritual space for rest, where the movement of fused textures is balanced by a fireplace — a poetic counterpoint to Klein Blue.
Sculpted Intimacy
This compact bathroom, rendered in a monochrome hue, reads as a single, seamless piece — its soft corners and integrated details preserving visual purity.
Designed for a couple and their daughter for their new house at Okubo neighborhood in Tokyo, the house features layered spatial schemes tailored to both functionality and aesthetic harmony. At the entrance, a second entry leads to a small ceramics atelier, creating a private, creative retreat while maintaining its connection to the home. The ground floor accommodates an extra bedroom for guests or visiting elders, accessible from a discreet back alley—a thoughtful nod to privacy and flexibility. The living room is the heart of the home, a striking double-height space framed on one side by an extensive library wall, merging functionality with poetic design.
On the second floor, the family enjoys a dedicated yoga space for mindfulness and balance, along with an additional guest bedroom. This upper level also features a middle enclosed green terrace, a tranquil pocket of nature within the home, fostering a sense of calm and connection to the environment. Additionally, a backside balcony offers a secluded outdoor experience amidst Tokyo's dense urban fabric, enhancing the flow of light and air throughout the space. The Klein Blue House explores the idea of vibrancy not as a result of multiple colors but as the sheer power of a singular, uncompromising hue. Beyond its visual impact, the house embodies a thoughtful response to the needs of a modern family—balancing private retreats, communal spaces, and creative enclaves.
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