A house designed by architect Hiroshi Hara, built in the 1970s, Awazu Kiyotei residente is now open to the public as an art space. The opening ceremony is Yoshikuni Hajime's solo exhibition "Starting from the base, Awazu residence”. I wanted to share my spatial experience with you, so I wrote a report in the first and second parts.
The Awazu residence consists of the atelier of Mr. Awazu, who was a graphic designer, and the house where his family lives. The first photo was taken of the atelier seen from the top of the stairs. What is on display is Yoshikuni's work enlarged to fit the size of the space. The ceiling of the atelier is approximately 2.5 stories high.
The entrance is on the top floor, so as soon as you enter the entrance, there are stairs that go downstairs. The second photo was taken from an angle looking back after descending the stairs. The dome-shaped top lights, pock-marked lighting fixtures that you would find on the street, and horizontal joints are the hallmarks of this building. The Awazu residence is said to be the first in a series of houses that Hara has dubbed ``reflective residences.''
A street-like space runs through the middle of the building. On both sides, there are rooms such as the kitchen and bedroom, and gathering place such as the dining room and living room. (This gathering place looks like an intersection.) When you open the entrance door, you can see through to the walls of the atelier. (The idea was that the first work you saw when you entered the venue was displayed at the very back.)
The dining room display. There was probably a dining table next to the low window, I guess. If you sit at the height of the chair, you can see the garden in your line of sight. (There was a sculpture by Mr. Awazu there.)
The layout of the exhibition was apparently designed by Mr. Yoshikuni himself. This wall, which is said to be inspired by the outlet window and the four small windows at the top, has a somewhat rhythmic feel that evokes the atmosphere of Zimbabwe, which is a motif in his work.
The photo below shows the building from the garden. It is built along a slope, and the garden and the inside of the building have different levels along the slope. When you go out into the garden from the dining room window, you will find yourself on a level slightly higher than the hillside. The garden is about the same width as the building, and although there are no large openings, the distance from the neighboring houses is maintained, so plenty of light comes in through the windows opened at strategic points.
(Continued in the second half...)
Going to see art and residential architecture-01