Dream House

Built with specially-formulated concrete made of volcanic ash, this micro-house in Tokyo maximizes space through vertical construction. When Tokyo-based architecture firm Atelier TEKUTO received a brief from their clients to build a distinctive, environmentally-conscious concrete home, they embarked on a two-and-a-half year journey of spacial and material exploration. Built in 2015, the result—the R Torso C project—recently won the Overall Excellence Award and first place in the low-rise buildings category at the 2017 American Concrete Institute Awards.

Fireclay Salton Sea tile covers the walls and floor.

Fireclay Peabody tile covers the bathroom, with Luminaire Authentik Norvégienne sconces, Rubinet faucets, and Pottery Barn medicine cabinets.

In the powder room, a Pottery Barn mirror hangs over the Mudd Concrete sink and Rubinet faucet.

One of two bathrooms has floor-to-ceiling tiles in a calming blue shade.

With the same materials that were used originally—like the mahogany and Douglas fir in the living room—Dominick and Scott sensitively restored the interior. Knoll fabrics cover the vintage Paul McCobb stools.

All of the furnishings are either hand-me-downs or found on Craigslist. "A big part of the project was sourcing furniture as economically as possible," says Pang.

A built-in bench provides storage and the window was restored to its original dimensions. The wall light is the Ceramic Disc Surface Mount by In Common With.

Shahane changed the layout and in so doing, restored the window to its original larger size. Heath Ceramics tile wraps the room, Stone White on the floor and Modern Blue on the walls. A Foscarini Gregg sconce hangs above the Azzura Ceramica Elegance Squared sink.

Despite a delay in schedule, the house will be capable of operating off-grid thanks to a solar photovoltaic system and battery back up system.

The couple spent $6,765 on Bisazza tile in the bathroom and alley-facing exterior.

The living room is flanked by a light well on one perimeter and a courtyard on the other.

Scott drew on the studio’s inclination for experimentation, including past conceptual projects like the zeroHouse.

As a practicing architect for over 30 years, Scott looked to his network to help take on the project and, to an extent, mitigate the budget. “I’ve described this house as less of a construction project, and more of an Amish barn raising.”