Katsutoshi Sasaki, born in 1976, founder of Katsutoshi Sasaki + Associates, participated with his 2014 "House in Yamanote" project in the second edition of our Japanese Contemporary House.
We admire his design approach in the internal distribution of homes. The architect gives ample space to volumes rather than surfaces: the rooms are always in communication with the entire house and can be glimpsed through the structure which becomes an integral part of the furniture. "Even simple materials can become representative elements of beauty and the spiritual dimension of man. Light and shadow are therefore intended as real matter and play a central role in defining space. The more light penetrates the bodies, the more they become light, simple [...] "(taken from Japanese Contemporary House)
The light is used by the architect with skill: the light coming from above is, in our opinion, the one that most emphasizes the structures and filters of his homes.
This choice, mainly due to the congested living contexts in which its architectures are inserted, gives an introspective aspect to the houses, turned on themselves rather than on the surrounding environment and gives the spaces a different image from time to time depending on the time of day or season.
ILet's start with the first question to break the ice: How do you get your tea?
I like oolong tea, even if I prefer to drink coffee.
To this day, what do you think is your most significant and representative work of your design approach? Is there a project that you consider emblematic to tell who are you?
Surely the project that best represents me is Tnoie.
Residential architectures are often influenced by the names of the rooms which also determine their function and volume, but rigid links are almost always created between spaces.
I like to design spaces that relate well to the overall volume of the house, as in this case: I created two volumes 1.55 m wide, 13.5 m deep and 8 m high, separated by a staircase in which the different functions of living. Interestingly, the small width gives the feeling of sharing the same space even when its inhabitants are actually in separate rooms.
I find it interesting to go beyond residential architecture, which is too structured, to leave room for new functions that allow it to reconnect with the city: in this case it is a gallery, a market and accommodation for interns who come from outside, so the house opens to the outside.
What do you think is a decisive project (of others) for your professional career? Who do you consider your teacher or an important reference for your work?
I let myself be inspired by many contemporary architecture, but also by Japanese temples and shrines as well as by private homes all over the world.
I really admire Shinichi Ogawa's work.
What will be the direction for the future of Japanese home architecture? Climate change, the aging of the population, the evolution of our daily habits due to the pandemic, which changes can affect the living spaces of tomorrow and how?
I think the sharing of places to live and work will expand. Architects must be ready to respond to these new needs: flexible spaces will be decisive for the future.
Katsutoshi Sasaki + AssociatesÂ
1976 (Toyota-shi Aichi, Japan)
1999 Graduated from Kindai University
2008 Established Katsutoshi Sasaki + Associates
2020 Master degree from the Graduate School of Nagoya institute of technology.
add: 4-61-3 Tanaka-cho Toyota-shi Aichi Japan 471-0845 mail: sasaki@sasaki-as.com URL:Â www.sasaki-as.com