IGArchitects’ one-legged house supported on single concrete column

16 May 2023 CW Team

The Saitama-based studio centered the concrete building around a large column, enabling the envelope of the house to be enclosed by sliding glass doors framed with wood. "Like an opened umbrella, the roof and walls [of the home] are extended from the only column," explained IGArchitects, giving the impression of a floating solid structure.

Inside, the One-Legged House features a single open space design that allows for easy adaptability in the future. The central column separates the kitchen area from the bedroom and living spaces, while a bathroom area is discreetly enclosed with simple white curtains to provide privacy.

The roof of the house is enveloped in board-marked concrete, which extends upwards to create a parapet for a rooftop terrace and downwards to shield the interiors from excessive sunlight. This design ensures that direct sunlight does not penetrate the house during the summer, eliminating the need for air conditioning. Additionally, the open windows enable the free flow of refreshing ocean breezes throughout the space.

To provide privacy in the sleeping area, the south-facing side of the One-Legged House features wooden panels and clerestory windows, preventing visibility from neighbouring residential properties. IGArchitects aimed to create a flexible structure that could serve purposes beyond residential use. The single column design, while visually impactful, allows for adaptability and strength, unaffected by changing circumstances.

When the sliding glass doors are opened, the northern side of the house leads to a rock-covered patio surrounding the building. This outdoor space is adorned with areas of greenery and incorporates an external concrete staircase that ascends to a rooftop terrace. The One-Legged House showcases IGArchitects' innovative approach to design, combining functionality, aesthetics, and a seamless connection with the surrounding environment.

IGArchitects, a Japanese studio, has designed a distinctive home called the One-Legged House, where a single concrete column provides support for the entire structure. Situated on a hill in Okinawa with a picturesque coastal view, the house was designed to offer uninterrupted vistas and a constant flow of ocean breeze throughout the day. The Saitama-based studio centered the concrete building around a large column, enabling the envelope of the house to be enclosed by sliding glass doors framed with wood. Like an opened umbrella, the roof and walls [of the home] are extended from the only column, explained IGArchitects, giving the impression of a floating solid structure. Inside, the One-Legged House features a single open space design that allows for easy adaptability in the future. The central column separates the kitchen area from the bedroom and living spaces, while a bathroom area is discreetly enclosed with simple white curtains to provide privacy. The roof of the house is enveloped in board-marked concrete, which extends upwards to create a parapet for a rooftop terrace and downwards to shield the interiors from excessive sunlight. This design ensures that direct sunlight does not penetrate the house during the summer, eliminating the need for air conditioning. Additionally, the open windows enable the free flow of refreshing ocean breezes throughout the space. To provide privacy in the sleeping area, the south-facing side of the One-Legged House features wooden panels and clerestory windows, preventing visibility from neighbouring residential properties. IGArchitects aimed to create a flexible structure that could serve purposes beyond residential use. The single column design, while visually impactful, allows for adaptability and strength, unaffected by changing circumstances. When the sliding glass doors are opened, the northern side of the house leads to a rock-covered patio surrounding the building. This outdoor space is adorned with areas of greenery and incorporates an external concrete staircase that ascends to a rooftop terrace. The One-Legged House showcases IGArchitects' innovative approach to design, combining functionality, aesthetics, and a seamless connection with the surrounding environment.