The case study focuses on a unique house designed by Makoto Tanijiri in Saijo, Hiroshima, inspired by traditional Japanese pit dwellings. The modern design features a sunken communal area, extensive natural light, and a blend of contemporary and historical architectural elements, while addressing privacy concerns for the family. Advantages include effective ventilation and environmental friendliness, although issues like staircase safety and privacy in the master bedroom are notable drawbacks.

1. CASE STUDY ON PRIMITIVE LIVING
IN SAIJO, HIROSHIMA

2. INTRODUCTION:
• Design: Suppose Design Office, Japan
Lead Architect: Makoto Tanijiri
Site area: 246 m2
Building area: 50.41 m2
Total floor area: 115.51 m2
Chief Architect At Suppose
Design Office
In Saijo, a town known for it sake, a jet black
pyramid unexpectedly stands out; when first seen it
seems as if it’s a house from the future. On the
contrast, it’s actually inspired by the earliest house
in Japanese architecture; the pit dwelling or the
“tateana jukyo”. Constructed during the Yayoi era
(200 B.C. – 250 A.D.), pit dwellings were built by
digging a circular pit (or rectangular one with rounded edges) fifty or sixty centimeters deep and five to
seven meters in diameter, then covering it with a steep thatched roof. Not very different from talented
young architects Makoto Tanijiri’s modern day pit dwelling.

3. TATEANA JUKYO

4. Concept of Elevation
OBJECTIVE:
According to Tanjiri, the clients, a young couple and their three children wanted a unique
house, in which the open public part would preserve privacy.

5. Ground Floor Plan

6. First Floor PlanSecond Floor Plan

8. The site which was formerly an open field
was excavated and the house was sunk a
meter into the ground. The soil from the
excavations was used to create a protective
barrier around the perimeter of the site,
and acted as the organic base of the
house. The barrier formed is both visual
and physical and was planted to create a
lush landscape.
Entrance Of House
The sunken level of the house is communal.
The perimeter is constructed by
exposed glossy concrete.
The sunken level is open plan and consists
of the living, kitchen and dining areas.

9. Living Room Kitchen with ribbon window
Ribbon window
It is a meter below ground level it has a lot of natural light as Tanjiri placed ribbon
windows running on all four sides.

10. Dining Area
Four inclined black steel V plates
were placed at each corner of the
ground floor, to support the
construction and the other two
levels of the pit dwelling.
A timber staircase without handrails leads to
the first floor where the master bedroom and
bath is found.
Exterior View Of Dining Area

11. The master bedroom enjoys a terrace, which is cut into the surface of the pyramid-like
construction thus allowing natural light into the master bedroom.
Master Bedroom

12. The most revealing and striking space of
the house, unfolds before our eyes on the
second floor where the children’s
bedroom is located.
The walls ascend and converge at the
same time to meet at the skylight.
Light vigorously pours through the
skylight and into the rest of the house
through the central opening where the
staircase is located.
Children Bedroom

15. ADVANTAGES:
1. Effective natural light from the skylight.
2. Use of basement as a private area by keeping hidden by contour.
3. Proper air circulation through the basement to the top because of open shaft.
4. Landscape view from the dining area make the house friendly to environment.
5. Ribbon window is used for the wind flow through the house and black steel V plates
are used to support the construction and pit dwelling.
DISADVANTAGES:
1. No safety in the sides of staircase void.
2. Railings in staircase is not used, it can cause accident.
3. There is no privacy in the master bedroom because shaft is open and doors are not
provided.

16. INFERENCES:
1. We can make our house underground like a basement for the use of family gathering.
2. Big window with terraces can be used to give a natural light in top floor because that
space is so dark without natural light.
3. Contour can be used to hide the public spaces like living room, gathering space and
for the proper wind circulation.
4. Free flow planning makes a house united with everyone in the family.
5. In very less free space, it is designed so well with limited interior elements and
circulation area.

17. REFERENCES:
1. https://www.yatzer.com/Primitive-Living-in-Saijo-Hiroshima-Makoto-Tanijiri-
SUPPOSE-design-office
2. www.pinterest.com
3. www.wikipedia.com
4. www.archdaily.com

18. SUBMITTED BY:
Karan Dewangan
IInd Year,IVth
Sem