Maniera Architect & Associates

To realise the concrete mass born of the owner's strong request, and to imbue the diagonal cut shape following the northern slope line with meaning,the facade was conceived by combining three-dimensional forms, as if sculpting concrete itself. The resulting form comprises a surface inclined 7 degrees towards the road, vertical north-south planes, and two triangles connecting them. This sculpture, evoking a sense of wonder and sanctity, sits as if guarding the avenue lined with Chinese hackberry trees. The staircase first encountered at the entrance draws inspiration from the master architect Carlos Calpa. It represents a challenge to create complex three-dimensional forms in concrete, finished by grinding limestone mortar to aim for the staircase itself becoming an art piece.Upon ascending to the first floor, a simple, symmetrical plan unfolds, centred around four columns formed with a concrete bush hammer finish. Flanking these are the living and dining areas. A single path runs straight through the centre, piercing to the exterior, where a two-storey-high opening with an inverted cross-shaped frame, symbolically unifying the entire structure.
From the second floor, the skylight shaped by the northern slope line frames a view of the Rokkō mountain range. Even within the city, one senses the dynamic force of nature, unyielding even to this powerful building. Each individual room has been meticulously crafted with attention to detail.
The master bedroom is a tranquil space with oak panelled walls and slightly muted white walls, offering a convenient layout with an adjoining powder room of comparable size. The guest rooms are twin Japanese-style rooms centred around a circular opening in the courtyard ceiling. These twins, borrowing each other's scenery, each bring a serene worldview and depth to the other's existence. Particularly distinct is the basement bar. Centred around a counter clad in oxidised copper for character, it employs antique brick, velvet curtains, and dark mirrors to evoke a 1970's aesthetic. Neon signs glow with an eerie light.
The owner's meticulous attention to detail, the architect's ingenious design – these elements underwent repeated chemical reactions to arrive at this building. It will continue to radiate a commanding presence and endure in its place for years to come.