Villa Saitan: A tint of movement

This land was once the site of Nishihachijo-palace, which was the residence of a hero of the Japanese classical tragedy, “Tale of Heike.” It was a stage of rise and fall of a clan in the 12th century. Such an old and sad memory is cherished and still told among the people of this neighborhood.

The site is in Nishioji-hachijo, Kyoto.

The collective housing that is built on such a historical site should not be seen as an average apartment house. Such notion occurred to us, which might led us to the idea of an “immortal tree.” We designed a building which does not take vaguely a shape of a tree, but rather an intense and massive form with a tint of movement.

Location: Kyoto Japan
Client: Shigekazu Yagi
Site area: 301.82m2
Total floor area: 557.70m2
Design team: EASTERN design office + HOJO STRUCTURE RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Constructor: MINOBE CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION

This construction is a collective housing consisting of 11 units. The impersonality of segmental housing complex is completely concealed in this architecture. Instead it is built to be seen as one big house. The architecture is covered with a wall in which holes are cut. The shape of the holes resembles a trunk, leaves, a root and bulbs. It also can be seen as clouds floating over the trees.

What does the name Saitan mean? Tan is the color of the shrine gates, vermilion. It is also the color of pale red granite stone. Vermilion will not be weathered. It is said that vermillion is a sacred color and it used to be applied on serving dishes, and bows and arrows to make them holy. Sai means variety of beautiful colors that make something more attractive.

Ｐhotographer: Kouichi Torimura