This Weekend Playhouse Is All About Play When Process 5, an architecture studio in Japan, were approached to build a retreat atop a significant slope it seemed a difficult brief. There was a 13 metre difference in elevation between the top of the plot and the bottom and the owner wanted a weekend ‘playground’: a place to escape to where they could relax and play and indulge in a way of life not possible in the city. Despite the difficult terrain, Process 5 managed to build a four-storey property, each floor connected by a voluminous stairwell which simultaneously flooded the building with light. Each floor provided different views, natural lighting and ambience, giving the resident a real spectrum of spaces within one building. Whether it is breakfast on a swing, hosting summer BBQ’s or enveloping yourself in a blanket and getting lost in a novel for hours, the Weekend Residence’s versatility equally allows for each vibe. The house is a playground and a canvas to paint your own personality on, dependent on season, mood or guests, while still managing to feel comfortable and warm. We spoke to the architecture studio behind this luxury out-of-town adult playhouse to find out more about the project. The Plus: What was most difficult when designing the residence on uneven land? Process 5: I tried to use the slope as a feature. The floor level was lowered so that I could follow the slope. I had to judge the size of the building in comparison to its surroundings, the slant in particular, so as not to disrupt the natural surroundings. TP: What is your favourite aspect of the building? P5: Simple composition and complicated material usage TP: You describe the house as a ‘playground’ for adults – how so? P5: When we become adults we run after life, we spend much of our time working, and we forget to play. I tried to free the property from the ‘norm’ – to allow those who stay there to exist in a state of ‘play’. The residence is aimed at freedom and fun and a world away from our day-to-day. TP: What materials did you use most in the project? P5: Concrete, antique wood, tile, original paint wood and scagliola TP: What is next for you? P5: I want to create a unique space that can be enjoyed for years to come and is not influenced by time.
