A low-cost house near Tokyo designed by Japanese architect Kazuhiko Namba, which makes a design virtue out of plywood. In the Japanese craft tradition of respecting the qualities of the material, the architect features rather than conceals the plywood panels, their inconsistent grain, the multi-ply edging and even the nail heads. The small study is perched over the living area. The staircase is a modern interpretation of the traditional step-dansu, or box steps..