House　Hm

House Hm”
The　site is　in　a section of a residential area located on a gentle slope between the
Funahashi and Hotani　rivers,whichflow through　Hirakata in Osaka Prefecture.
Raising the ground level when the land was developed for residential use has　

created　a difference in height　between the road

sand the sites,and　the　rows of houses　have been　induced
to place parking spaces on the roadside　and　residences on the upper level　

with wallswhere the height changes,distancing　the road and the residence　and

creating animpression that the entire town is closed off from the roads.

As the surrounding　houses are being rebuilt and the　sceneryof the town gradually changes, we wanted toproactively use the height difference created by the raised level and pre
sent a way of building
that is　aligned with　both the residence and the road, rather than the conventional, customary way of building houses.

The　main location for living is planned to be on the foundation level 1200 mm above the road, like the surroundingresidences.

Spaces have been arranged there on two levels,under　a roof divided in three to wrap around them facing the road.

The eave space under the roof creates internal and external continuity,and life crossesbetween the interior,exterior, andsemi-exterior,with
various activities overflowing into the space between the road and the residence.

Half of thesectionwith a difference in heighthas been formed into a slope to form a gentle connection from the　road to the residence and an openstructure with the wall removed.

The trees planted at the top of the slope control lines of sight from the road, while bringing the sound of the windinto the home.

Adeck terracecontinuing from the living room has been arranged near the trees
to create acomfortable semi-exteriorplace.

The space facing the road
secures functionality as a garage with the future in mind, while
being paved with gravel
to facilitate changes of function.

This happened when we visited three months after constructionwascompleted.

Alady who lives in the house across the streetnoticed that theflowerson thejuneberryplanted in front of the
terrace at this residence had scattered in the rain a few days earlier, and she　called to
us in a loud voice from herown site　to expressdisappointment　about this.
The garden a few houses down
was not being used whenever we passed during construction and the treesappeared to be neglected, but
adeck had been laid andcomfortable-looking　rockingchair　had been placed there.

These are only minor events, but　if　these minor events
accumulate and the customary way of using the town and
houses that has unconsciously taken root
changes for the better, the attraction of the town and lifestyle will
—we　hope—increase further