Features and Examples of Professional Square (Cube) House

2-1. The house will have a modern and unique appearance

江戸川の住宅　〜高架前の解答〜 ( architect：Manabu Naya )

The main purpose of a square house is to be able to design a unique exterior.

While the typical triangular-roofed house tends to be alike with neighbors, the square, cube-shaped house is in the minority, which means that similar houses are less likely to be built on neighboring lots. This design is perfect for those who want to pursue individuality in the exterior of their homes, as opposed to the uniform design often seen in subdivisions.

However, in recent years, housing series that specialize in franchised, square houses are also becoming increasingly popular in the detached house market. Therefore, for those who want to pursue even more unique individuality, we recommend design by an architect. As shown in the example above, we can design a house with a design that sets it apart from franchised square houses, including its structure.

2-2. Superior shape for earthquake resistance

A second advantage, square houses generally feature superior earthquake resistance.

Seismic resistance is affected by the construction method, but even with the same construction method, the shape of the building makes it differently resistant to earthquakes. When a building is subjected to seismic energy, energy is more likely to be concentrated in certain parts of the building if the shape is uneven, increasing the risk of collapse or damage.

This method of measuring risk asks the question, how far apart is the "center of gravity," which is the center of the building viewed in plan, and the "rigid center," which is the center of strength balance? This can be obtained numerically. （Eccentricity ratio)

If these two points are far apart, the house is likely to lose its balance during an earthquake. A square house, however, is more stable because the "center of gravity" and the "center of rigidity" are relatively centered in the house and are not far apart.

2-3. Floor plan that allows for privacy depending on design

A design often employed in square houses is one in which there are no windows on the exterior walls visible from the street. Of course, the interior is well-lit, especially on the south side, but privacy is ensured by not having windows on the street side where other people pass by.

２ Courts House ( architect：Shinji Yoshida ＋ Yoko Sugita )

In addition, if the south side of the house is a road, a combination design with an inner terrace can provide privacy for living without having to hide it with curtains.

「 H 」型の平面形状 ( architect：Hironobu Hosaka )

「 H 」型の平面形状 ( architect：Hironobu Hosaka )

Designing the courtyard in a "L" shape also allows the entire interior to be brightly lit without windows on the exterior walls, creating a plan that is distinctive on the exterior while allowing for no inconvenience in everyday living.

2-4. Easy to design for rooftop use

（作品が削除されています）

Square houses are often built with a flat roof, and plans for rooftop use are also popular.

The square shape makes it easy to design a rooftop terrace by raising the exterior walls and creating a playful house. The possibilities are endless, including the use of terraces and rooftop gardens in a way that matches the concept of the house.

2-5. Less expensive than a house with an uneven design

A square house can be built at a discount because of the rational use of components such as exterior walls and structural framing.

For example, in the case of a house with many irregularity shape, the incidence of needless spots is higher for even a single exterior wall, resulting in the use of more exterior wall materials than necessary for the same area. Thus, when useless cost accumulates in many components, it affects the overall cost of the house, an advantage that is easily shared even if the construction method and architect change.

3-1. No eaves, so heat shielding is necessary in summer

Square houses are often designed with short eaves, which allows sunlight to easily penetrate into the rooms. This works as an advantage in winter, but in summer, if there are no eaves to block the sunlight, the interior temperature can easily rise, making it feel hotter, and air conditioning may not work as effectively.

However, this is not a point to be concerned about, as high-performance sashes, which are less likely to transmit heat from the summer sun to the interior, are becoming more prevalent in recent houses with short eaves.

（作品が削除されています）

新丸子の住宅　〜座の生活を楽しむ〜 ( architect：Manabu Naya )

But in case if you still have concerns left, you may want to incorporate a design that sets back the exterior wall surface and overhangs (juts out) the roof and side exterior walls, as shown in the diagram above.

3-2. Regular waterproofing maintenance as it will be a flat roof

The risk of leaks is relatively high for flat roofs.

Compared to a well-sloped triangular roof, drainage tends to be inevitably poor, and maintenance is required at least once every 10 years for waterproofing of the roof.

However, this is also true for flat roofs in general, so discuss the construction method and waterproofing treatment method with the architect at the time of new construction, and keep in mind the maintenance plan and expected costs.

For more information on flat roofs, please refer to the following article. The key points of flat roofs to avoid regrets! Also, we will introduce some case studies. Please refer to the following page for a detailed explanation of flat roofs.

3-3. Difficult to build shed storage

Although connected to the land roof, a square house is difficult to build shed storage.

Shed storage is generally a storage method that utilizes the space under a triangular roof, making it physically difficult for a square house.

4-1. Smart square house created by translucent walls

新丸子の住宅　〜座の生活を楽しむ〜 ( architect：Manabu Naya )

新丸子の住宅　〜座の生活を楽しむ〜 ( architect：Manabu Naya )

The floor plan has a private space on the first floor and the LDK on the second floor to ensure adequate sunlight.

The front street is busy, so the building features a semi-transparent fence around the boundary of the property to ensure privacy and unobstructed light.

The translucent fence has the advantage of also reducing the closed-in feeling of being enclosed by a wall, while the gentle light leakage at night creates an impressive design, giving a different impression during the day and night.

4-2. A simple house made with flat straight lines

２ Courts House ( architect：Shinji Yoshida ＋ Yoko Sugita )

２ Courts House ( architect：Shinji Yoshida ＋ Yoko Sugita )

This is an example of residential architecture that encompasses two different expressions of exterior space.

Because it is located in a residential complex, the windows are large and open, with the view from the outside being well screened. The flat exterior walls of the building serve a design function in creating a smart impression while at the same time blocking the line of sight.

In addition, by placing the windows slightly inward from the exterior wall surface, it’s been arranged to block sunlight with eaves without destroying the square shape of the building.

4-3. House with square lean design and gentle natural light

竪の家 ( architect：Katsutoshi Sasaki )

竪の家 ( architect：Katsutoshi Sasaki )

The exterior of the house has black wood exterior walls and an impressive square shape with few windows on the exterior wall surface.

Although the house is the architect's own residence and has various experimental elements, the concept is "not a cool design house, but a functional, lean, and comfortable house enveloped by natural light and wind. The design breaks the "common sense" that even if a window is placed on the exterior wall, it cannot be opened due to concerns about the neighborhood and security, and that curtains often remain down. In this case, natural light is allowed to enter the house from the rooftop area, ensuring a gently bright interior.

4-4. Smart house with both privacy and openness

府中の住宅　〜角地の解答〜 ( architect：Manabu Naya )

Since the building is bordered on two sides by a road, consideration has been given to designing a bright interior while first ensuring privacy by blocking the view from the road.

To block the line of sight, the exterior of the house was made square, while the living room was placed on the second floor to ensure brightness in the rooms where the family gathers.

4-5. Beautiful square house with a combined open garage

ＬＩＧＨＴ　ＣＯＵＲＴ　ＨＯＵＳＥ ( architect：Mitsutoshi Okamoto )

The entire house is unified in white to create a beautiful atmosphere with little oppressive feeling. The floor plan is also designed to be closed, making it difficult to see the layout.

The interior is filled with pleasant light and breezes from the light court (courtyard), bringing in nature to create a bright and expansive floor plan.

4-6. Square-shaped house with figured glass as a symbol

RIGID FRAME 02 ( architect：Takanori Ihara )

RIGID FRAME 02 ( architect：Takanori Ihara )

The house is characterized by vertically arranged figured glass on the first and second floors.

An eye-catching opening in the front facade creates different images by day and night.

The overall exterior of the building is square and beautiful, while the use of figured glass ensures privacy.

4-7. Urban cube house that shows off the fair-faced RC construction

西荻窪の住宅　〜バス停の前と光井戸〜 ( architect：Manabu Naya )

（作品が削除されています）

With a bus stop right in front of the building, the first two floors are made of reinforced concrete and the third floor is made of wood to reduce vibration and noise when buses arrive and leave the bus stop.

The part visible from the front is made of fair-faced RC construction, with no openings to show the back side of the staircase.

The dining room and kitchen shown in the second photo are on the second floor, but the center of the house is an open-air courtyard, which ensures adequate lighting. Although the house is located in the middle of the city, the windows can be opened without worrying about the line of sight from the outside.

4-8. Modern house combining color-based squares

WHITE COURT HOUSE ( architect：Mitsutoshi Okamoto )

This is an example of a residence that gives a smart impression with its exterior unified in white.

It ensures a moderate degree of privacy, and vertical slit windows are used on the exterior walls facing the outside. The deck space, tsuboniwa（坪庭）space, and atrium space in the courtyard create a sense of room expansion, such as lighting and ventilation, in each room, creating a sense of privacy, yet not cramped inside.

4-9. A simple house that is sculptural and a work of art

新潟の住宅　〜寒冷地の中庭と彫刻的な街の顔〜 ( architect：Manabu Naya )

新潟の住宅　〜寒冷地の中庭と彫刻的な街の顔〜 ( architect：Manabu Naya )

From the street side, the simple two-tone black and white exterior is a unique architectural example.

The eye-catching white color of the entrance area, which is unified even to the front door, and the asymmetrical design create a truly artistic atmosphere.

On the other hand, the windows throughout the house are concentrated in positions toward the courtyard, creating an open interior that is not apparent from the outside. Although the appearance from the street side makes the house look like a windowless house, the floor plan is bright and functional and comfortable during the day.

4-10. Black and white design house

「 H 」型の平面形状 ( architect：Hironobu Hosaka )

This urban design house is two-tone at the top and bottom.

The open staircase can be seen from the large window on the first floor, giving it a fashionable look. This housing example also has a large window in the part of the house that is not visible from the front facade, creating a bright housing.