Earth House: Crater or Flower Pot?

It’s always interesting for an architect to play with natural inclinations of a plot, to figure out possibilities of interesting open spaces for a house and to take benefit from its specific location. Well, this next project, in Misato, Saitama, Japan, stands out indeed in that respect, and is really revolutionary and absolutely fascinating! Continue reading →

House in Hieidaira: a space for three generations

A complex program often leads to outstanding results in architecture… In Shiga, Japan, an unusual wish gave birth to the House in Hieidaira – a small family home for three generations: grandparents, parents and children. To add even more complexity to this project, a space for work must be related to the dynamic living of this unusual house.

What were the solutions for this challenging program? A plan (with only 116 sq. m.) was developed in which 3 compact autonomous volumes – one for the client’s family, other for his parents and an atelier space – respect the sloped roofs that mark the residential surrounding area. Continue reading →

House in Amagi: a framed introspective journey

Imagine a house with perforated inner walls instead of conventional doors… In Amagi, Japan, a tiny house testifies the result of such an unusual concept! The challenge was direct and simple: a small residence for a family of three (only 82.81 sq .m. of building area) located in a plot full of fruit trees and a very special cherry tree. Nature plays a crucial role in the design of this home, creating the perfect balance between inside and outside spaces. Continue reading →

House NA: Living Within a Tree

Have you seen the movie “Dogville” by Lars von Trier? Remember how the entire surroundings of the town were created – the houses were just painted as floor plans on the dark theatrical surface while various objects were placed to show the function of a room or space (for example, the fragment of the church tower hanging in the air).. Actors just pretended to knock on the door of the imaginary house.. Yet, I got the atmosphere of the town as I watched the film and I remember it well.

The House NA in Tokyo resembles this scenery concept. It is not a real house, but a transparent steel structure with small floor plates on different levels. The project area is 914 sq.ft. It looks like a building, however it has no traditional windows, no doors, no ceilings, and no walls. Continue reading →

InBetween House: blending nature and architecture

Simply breathtaking… What a fine example of turning traditional techniques into modern architecture! The InBetween House works as a group of small mountain cabins situated between Japanese larch trees in a rocky region outside Tokyo. Yes… the word “between” gains a special meaning in this particular context – From nature to the building, all is arranged to work in a very delicate and integrated way. Continue reading →

House S: the great wall of Osaka

One of the seven wonders that can be seen from Space is the Great Wall of China… In Osaka, Japan, there´s no construction as big and emblematic as the Great Wall, however, a residential building designed by Suga Atelier appears like a modern reinterpretation of this ancient construction. Placed beside a main road, House S assumes the role of a physical barrier against traffic noises and visual impact. Continue reading →

House at the Mountain: gently swallowed by nature

Some buildings are born to serve as a pure extension of its surrounding nature…In Karuizawa, Japan, an exceptional house claims all the attention for its intimate relation with the landscape. A national forest borders the property, which means it is unlikely to be hemmed in by neighbors in the near future. Before we get to the house itself, I just couldn’t help myself – I mean, just look at that hot tub terrace view – Wow! Continue reading →

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