Hat on the Ridge
Residence and Gallery for MDS Co., Ltd.
Earthen floor connects with the bedrock, and square roof opens to the landscape - The space was vertically diversified by adding the floor on the ground and levitating the roof over the earth. The roof lowers down towards the roof edge and heightens up in the center. Each of the four edges of the roof opens to a different view: the mountain, the valley, the village, and the sky. Responding to these rich surroundings, each edge is flipped up to make four different spaces with different views. In the corners, the upper level floor is cut through to the ground to connect the two levels.
Download Press Kit № 142103
Download Press Kit № 142103 Residence and Gallery for MDS Co., Ltd. by Kiyotoshi Mori to access high-res images, essential texts, translations, and exclusive interviews—all in one.
Available Now for Your Next Story
At architecture|newsroom, we understand the pressures and deadlines journalists face. That’s why we offer exclusive access to our curated press kits and high-resolution images, tailored for accredited journalists. These resources are designed to enrich your stories with depth and visual appeal, spotlighting the world's most innovative designs.
Please Note:
- Credit the work's creator and/or photographer.
- Mention architecture|newsroom as your source.
- Share your published pieces with us; we love to celebrate and promote your work on our platform and social media.
Let’s Collaborate: Your stories matter. architecture|newsroom is here to support you with quality, accessible content. Once you are accredited, reach out for the images and content you need. We will provide the specific images and content directly, along with recommendations on works to feature.
Get Accredited Easily: Quick access to our resources requires media accreditation. Apply for media accreditation to join our network and start exploring a wealth of design stories.
Hat on the Ridge by Kiyotoshi Mori
Download 1800 Pixels JPEG Image.
Residence and Gallery by Kiyotoshi Mori
Download 1800 Pixels JPEG Image.
Kiyotoshi Mori Hat on the Ridge
Download 1800 Pixels JPEG Image.
Kiyotoshi Mori Residence and Gallery
Download 1800 Pixels JPEG Image.
MDS Co Ltd Brand Logo
Download 1800 Pixels JPEG Image.
Hat on the Ridge Residence and Gallery Press Releases
Our Hat on the Ridge press releases are ready in languages: English, for your convenience.
Hat on the Ridge Residence and Gallery Media Articles
Our Hat on the Ridge articles are prepped and available in these languages: Italian, English, Korean, Indonesian, Japanese, Russian, Hindi, Turkish, Arabic (Standard), Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin), Dutch, Portuguese, French and German, ready for your use.
Unique Properties
Earthen floor connects with the bedrock, and square roof opens to the landscape - The space was vertically diversified by adding the floor on the ground and levitating the roof over the earth. The roof lowers down towards the roof edge and heightens up in the center. Each of the four edges of the roof opens to a different view: the mountain, the valley, the village, and the sky. Responding to these rich surroundings, each edge is flipped up to make four different spaces with different views.
Tags
Villa, Gallery, Pit dwelling, Dorma, Cats, Vista, Mountain, Village, Sky, valley
Production Technology
Earthen floor connects with the bedrock, and square roof opens to the landscape. Each of the four edges of the roof opens to a different view: the mountain, the valley, the village, and the sky. Responding to these rich surroundings, each edge is flipped up to make four different spaces with different views.
Design Challenge
The site is covered in a soft sediment over the surface of bedrock. The site was above the road level by just the thickness of the soil, which we chose to remove by the shape of the building footprint to put the foundation directly on the bedrock. The approach from the road is dug into this soil as well, gently sloping up towards the house. By placing a structurally stable pyramid roof over the simple square-shaped plan of the house, we created a pillarless space under the single roof.
Project Duration
The construction started in in September 2018 and finished in May 2019 in Kamakura, Japan.
Operation Flow
Cut through the floor in the corners - In the corners where the roof edges were left unflipped, the upper level floor is cut through to the ground to connect the two levels. Flip up the roof edges - Each of the four edges of the roof opens to a different view: the mountain, the valley, the village, and the sky. Responding to these rich surroundings, each edge is flipped up to make four different spaces with different views.
Research
From a gallery-like space to a house with a gallery. When the construction was first completed, the ground floor entrance hall and upper floor bookshelves were gallery-like spaces for displaying antiques and other items that were the owner's hobby. By displaying them within the scale of the living space, the works of art feel more familiar, and visitors can easily imagine the scene in which they will be placed in their residences.
Inspiration
The origin of the idea is a pit dwelling that blends in with the mountain range. Removing soft sediments over the surface by the shape of the building footprint to put the foundation directly on the bedrock, a semi-subterranean-like space buried in the earth is created. The space was then vertically diversified by adding another floor above the ground and levitating the roof over the earth.
Image Credits
Photographer TOREAL Koji Fujii
Project Overview
Hat on the Ridge Residence and Gallery has been a Bronze winner in the Interior Space and Exhibition Design award category in the year 2022 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Bronze A' Design Award is given to outstanding designs that showcase a high degree of creativity and practicality. It recognizes the dedication and skill of designers who produce work that stands out for its thoughtful development and innovative use of materials and technology. These designs are acknowledged for their professional execution and potential to influence industry standards positively. Winning this award highlights the designer's ability to blend form and function effectively, offering solutions that enhance people's lives and wellbeing.
Bronze Recognition
Kiyotoshi Mori was recognized with the coveted Bronze A' Design Award in 2023, a testament to excellence of their work Hat on the Ridge Residence and Gallery.
Kiyotoshi Mori Press Releases
Journalists and media members can enrich their content with our press releases on Kiyotoshi Mori, available for free use. Journalists, gain instant access to 2 press releases today.
Hat on the Ridge: A Unique Villa and Gallery by Kiyotoshi Mori
Kiyotoshi Mori's innovative Hat on the Ridge villa and gallery, completed in May 2019, offers a new perspective on residential architecture in Kamakura, Japan, blending into the mountain range while providing breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
Kiyotoshi Mori Newsroom
Discover outstanding design and award-winning initiatives in the Kiyotoshi Mori Newsroom.
