Reflection of Mineral, a small house by Atelier Tekuto

Reflection of Mineral sits like an irregular chunk of quartz dropped onto a Tokyo street corner. Designed by architects Yasuhiro Yamashita and Yoichi Tanaka of Atelier Tekuto, the faceted shape resulted from regulations aimed at ensuring adequate sunlight reaches the narrow streets and neighboring houses. The 86.2 m² (928 ft²) of floor area is spread over four levels, including a basement.

Inside, the play of light on the angled surfaces provides visual interest throughout the day. Windows placed in the corners draw the eye along the long diagonals, increasing the perceived space. The living room window faces the intersection, taking advantage of the longest available view. Mirrored surfaces, openings between floors and large skylights all add to the feeling of spaciousness.

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Photographs by Makoto Yoshida and Jimmy Cohrssen.

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