2700 House by IGArchitects: Architectural efficiency in a small space

The "2700 House" in Saitama, Japan, a masterpiece of modern architecture by IGArchitects, impressively demonstrates how creative design can elegantly overcome spatial constraints. Situated on a narrow, long plot that resulted from a street extension, this house measures only 2.9 meters in width and extends to 16 meters in depth. This unusual layout opens up a new perspective on the interplay between indoor and outdoor space.

The structure of the house, supported by eight columns, rises like a concrete box over the property. The ground floor offers flexible usage possibilities, while the upper floor serves as a private retreat. Due to the open design on the south, north, and west sides, natural light flows in from various directions. Windows on all four sides of the building maximize this effect and ensure a constant connection to the outside world.

Upon entering the house, a cave-like ambiance unfolds – high walls and massive columns dominate the space. But as one moves further inside, the windows come closer, and the outside world becomes more tangible. This clever arrangement of floors and windows allows for versatile control of the relationship between indoor and outdoor space, giving the living area a sense of freedom and openness. In contrast, the windows and ceiling heights on the upper floor are deliberately limited to create a cozy atmosphere. The house thus forms a harmony between these two different spaces.

In this house with a front width of only 2700mm, movement and living spaces seamlessly merge. Through the skillful combination of different furniture pieces and varying floor levels, an exciting sense of space is created: An area near the kitchen can serve as a dining area, another as a hallway, and yet another as a living area. There is no clear separation of spaces; instead, they interact with each other and extend the experience into the outdoor area.

Despite its minimalist front and massive concrete structure, the building creates a gentle atmosphere inside, constantly changed by weather, temperature, and natural light. The simple geometric shape of the building, combined with a heavy-looking, floating mass, creates a simultaneously calm and restless appearance. The gaps in the building, like penetrating parts of the concrete box, create a strong appearance, protecting life from external influences and allowing rich expressions in the interior by flexibly incorporating external elements.

Although built on a small, urban plot, a sense of freedom is created through clever adjustments of levels and the relationship to the outdoor space, exceeding the actual size of the house. "2700 House" thus embodies the possibilities and hopes of modern architecture in a compact space.

Photos: © Ooki Jingu