The Paris-based architecture firm Betillon / Dorval-Bory have designed and completed a complex of eight dwellings located under a single, iconic roof form in Chiba, Japan. Following qualities often experience in attic settings, the interior program is ‘slotted in’ to the large gabled roof structure.
house #3 – kitchen and dining
The whole scheme is lifted from the ground plane, leaving the soil and earth below untouched. This move creates the possibility for well introduced communal gardens and parking situations for automobiles.
angle common room
And the whole thing is something of a mystery from without. The exceptionally visually strong roof comes down on the periphery to mask the residences located behind- creating a private yet visible and present set of residences. Oh ya, and it’s Japanese, so pay some attention to the woodwork- it’s pretty impressive.
garden
Courtesy of Betillon / Dorval-Bory
Matt Davis is a Virginia Tech graduate and one of the founding editors behind Arch2O. Launching the platform in mid‑2012 alongside fellow Hokies, he helped shape its identity as an international hub for design innovation and critical dialogue . With a foundation in architectural education and a passion for uncovering unconventional design approaches, Matt has contributed significantly—both editorially and strategically—to Arch2O’s growth, ensuring that emerging architects, academics, and creatives have a space to question, explore, and elevate the built environment.