Ogaki House’s Sloping Roof Creates a Safe Haven from Harsh Japanese Weather

Challenged with a narrow lot near the edge of a residential neighborhood, architect <a href="http://www.sasaki-as.com/works/ogakihouse.htm">Katsutoshi Sasaki </a>visualized a unique home that would take the shape of a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/green-roofed-japanese-school-boasts-a-transforming-interior/">triangle</a> to buffer against the winds and keep the interior cool during the summer. The modestly sized Ogaki House looks inward to a small courtyard, and is designed to provide a community core for a family of six to gather.

At 106 square meters the home packs an efficient living space, putting private spaces to the end and public spaces in the center. The design focuses on the lower kitchen to create the home's natural work flow.

Small upper and lower gardens bookend the home, with the roof opening up for the greenery.

 The roof <a href="http://inhabitat.com/zechner-zechner-to-build-cobra-like-building-atop-mountain/">raises up from ground</a> level to reduce the impact of seasonal weather— cold winds from the north and hot winds and sun rays from the south.

Besides two small vertical windows cut into the roof, all the windows face a small inner <a href="http://inhabitat.com/peter-zumthor-unveils-2011-serpentine-pavilion-with-a-secret-garden/">courtyard</a>.

The house is <a href="http://inhabitat.com/zoka-zolas-naturally-cooled-bamboo-hostel-will-be-greenest-building-in-hong-kong/">naturally cooled</a> with prevailing air currents.

The incoming air crosses a small pool at one end and the two small gardens at the other.

The effect is that most daylight emanates from the core where the communal spaces are placed.

The lower floor also connects the two levels for the parent to communicate to the children above.

The upper sloped roof room.