A Multi-Generational Residence in Kamakura Integrating Everyday Life with Architectural Creativity

Integrating Everyday Life with Architectural Design

This type of housing represents an example of how everyday life can be integrated with architectural creativity. Architecture is not limited to external form or the materials used; rather, it goes beyond that to create a space that reflects residents’ interaction with their surrounding environment and with one another.

In this context, the design focuses on the relationship between the land, craftsmanship, and the shared daily routines of family members. Through this approach, living spaces become more than mere places of residence; they form a framework that enhances communication and daily interaction, while fostering creativity within family life.

Context and Environmental & Cultural Challenges

This type of housing is located in areas characterized by steep topography and historically rich environments, such as the valleys of Kamakura in Japan, where ancient cave tombs surround the site. This setting provides a strong sense of the land’s physical and historical presence, directly influencing the design approach and architectural functions.

Designing a multi-generational residence presents unique challenges, as it must accommodate daily living needs while supporting the creative activities of its inhabitants. For example, artisan artists require appropriate spaces to practice their crafts without negatively impacting the surrounding environment. Here, the design relies on a deep understanding of the site’s geological and cultural character, allowing buildings to integrate seamlessly with the natural terrain, respect local heritage, and meet the diverse demands of contemporary multi-generational living.

Design Philosophy and Spatial Organization

This design approach focuses on creating a living environment that nurtures creativity and connects everyday life with innovation. The residence is conceived as an integrated space, where daily activities are not separated from creative practices, reflecting a way of living that transcends the traditional boundaries between work and life.

Open Spaces and Integrated Additions

To realize this concept, the original building was reconfigured by removing internal walls and ceilings, resulting in a single expansive space that connects directly to the surrounding landscape. Subsequently, new rooms were added at the corners of the structure, their design inspired by earthen masses rising from the ground.

This composition brings together the open core of the central space with enclosed additions along the perimeter, creating the feeling of a self-contained small settlement. Within this framework, shared and private spaces are carefully integrated to support both daily living and creative activities in a balanced and harmonious way.

Spatial Distribution and Ways of Living

The residence is designed to balance privacy with shared activities. The corner additions provide enclosed rooms for each individual, offering a cave-like sense of seclusion that supports focus and independent work. In contrast, the central open area functions as a shared courtyard, where gathering, conversation, and dining can take place with ease, reinforcing everyday social interaction.

Workspaces and Creative Activities

The workspaces dedicated to creative activities are conceived as integrated environments that connect process and place. For example, the father’s room, located on the northwestern side, is designated for pottery making and finished in deep brown tones using soil from the site. This allows for a direct connection to the kiln and the outdoor glazing area, enabling the entire pottery-making process to unfold within a single, cohesive spatial sequence.

Storage Rooms and Private Spaces

The mother’s room, situated on the southwestern side, is more restrained in character and designed using a blend of lime and partially fired clay. The space is equipped with built-in cabinets and underground storage areas, reflecting the design’s emphasis on creating a practical and comfortable environment for daily activities while maintaining privacy and internal order.

Engineers’ Room and Creative Spaces

The engineers’ room is designed as the largest space in the house, featuring lowered earth-based flooring that enhances the sense of direct connection to the ground. The desks extend in a cantilevered form, allowing furniture and lighting developed through ongoing design practices to be displayed. This creates a flexible environment that brings together creative work and the practical presentation of ideas.

Guest Room and the Experience of Traditional Rituals

In contrast, the guest room is conceived as a space dedicated to experiencing traditional rituals, such as the Japanese tea ceremony. The room incorporates tatami mats and tokonoma alcoves, along with walls finished in a mixture of clay and bamboo charcoal, giving the space a natural and organic character. Soft natural light filtering from above creates a calm and comfortable atmosphere, enhancing social interaction and psychological comfort for visitors.

Materials as the Foundation of the Architectural Process

Materials play a central role in the design of the residence, with experiments using soil and clay forming the core of the creative process. The site’s soil and the clay previously used in pottery making were tested through crushing, firing, and glazing processes to ensure their suitability for contemporary construction requirements. This approach reflects a fusion of traditional craft knowledge with modern architectural needs.

Construction Techniques and Aesthetic Effects

In the final construction, layers of site soil and partially fired clay were combined with plaster mixed with iron and copper powders and cast onto the exterior walls. This mixture allows natural oxidation processes to occur, resulting in gradual color changes over time and adding an aesthetic dimension that actively responds to the surrounding environment.

Structural and Safety Considerations

Structurally, the four corner additions of the residence function as seismic reinforcements, concentrating shear walls within the new foundations. At the same time, the original columns were retained to support the tiled roof, achieving a balance between preserving traditional elements and providing the structural stability required for the building.

Impact and Reimagining the Relationship with the Environment

The design of this residence reflects a thoughtful attempt to transcend the traditional boundaries between land, architecture, and craftsmanship. The building is not merely a shelter; it serves as a space where natural elements, such as weather and time, interact with human practices, creating a dynamic and ever-changing living experience.

Reestablishing the Connection Between Creativity and Life

By integrating nature, local materials, and the creative activities of its inhabitants, the design seeks to restore the tangible power of architecture and reestablish a harmonious relationship between creativity and daily life. This approach encourages reflection on how residential spaces can be designed to support human interaction with the environment in a sustainable and inspiring way, free from promotional or commercial considerations.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

From an analytical standpoint, the residence provides a clear example of integrating daily life with creative activities, offering a valuable aspect for study in similar projects, particularly in multi-generational spaces. However, the design also presents several challenges that may affect its practical applicability in different contexts. Large open spaces and integrated additions may require ongoing maintenance and resources beyond what is typically available in conventional homes. Additionally, the reliance on local materials and partially fired clay limits the ease with which this model can be replicated outside its original environment.

Furthermore, the balance between private and shared spaces may not suit all families or lifestyles, potentially reducing flexibility for everyday use. Despite these considerations, the project offers a framework for exploring how local environments and traditional craftsmanship can be integrated into architectural design. It can serve as an inspiration for research initiatives or educational projects that examine the relationship between daily life and creativity, without relying on conventional residential building standards.

Reviewer

★ ArchUp: Technical Analysis of the Haniyas Multigenerational House

Technical Analysis of the Multigenerational House:
This article provides a technical analysis of the Haniyas multigenerational house as a case study in integrating creative activities and cultural identity with daily residential life.

The house is located in the steep terrain of Kamakura valley and was designed as a residence for a family of artists and craftspeople. The spatial concept is based on a central open composition with four enclosed corner additions resembling “caves” that function as individual workspaces.

The structural and construction system relies on preserving the original wooden columns to support the traditional tiled roof, while using shear walls in the new additions to enhance earthquake resistance.

Relevant Link: Please refer to this article for an in-depth look at residential architecture responsive to local culture:
Residential Architecture and Cultural Identity: Studies in Local Integration.