a House was Sought that would Produce Visual Expansion While Blocking Eyes from Surroundings

Form/Kouichi Kimura Architects has designed a series of concrete volumes to create the Tranquil House for a private client in Japan.

The new building is situated along a highway with a large volume of traffic. A field expands around the site that is adjacent to a concrete factory run by the client, and a traditional Japanese house where the parents reside. Because the environment gives a somewhat mixed-up impression, a house was sought that would produce visual expansion while blocking eyes from surroundings.

The monolithic exterior continues thematically into the interior

Thus, the architect planned a house that aligns its axis with the north side where you can obtain the widest view, while laying out the spaces that have their own extensity from the entrance through the backmost terrace. The recess of the symmetric façade composed of the volumes is made into the entrance. The thick and heavy wall positioned at the centre adds more sense of depth. It also plays a role of “Eye Stop” that keeps eyes outside from easily coming through.

Dining and kitchen area

Living Area

When entering the hall, the space created by the tall volumes welcomes guests with watery light from the top light. The space is divided by seamless glass sidewalls, which give a perspective effect to visibility of the space beyond. The two rough-textured walls have been provided to give special direction and weighty impression, as well as to make the space in- between as a passage to the living room. In the passage, a door has been positioned that can be flexibly opened and closed to develop diverse space experiences. The living and dining spaces that are connected with each other are encompassed within a large volume embraced by the space. An at- tempt has been made to segment the space by differentiating ceiling height and floor level.

Sections

At the same time, the light from a carefully planned opening has produced changing shadow and texture,and created a deep space. At the end of the area continued from the entrance, the architect wanted to realise an open space that incorporate scenes or lights. Therefore, the architect laid out a room that can be used as an extension of the living room, and provided a terrace that surrounds the room. The tiles that are used for the room are also used for the terrace to produce an expanding feel while enhancing continuity between the inside and outside of the room.

Through the glass wall at the north side, you can enjoy the view clipped out by the horizontal line of the wall, making the house impression far richer. The sequence of spaces, which are unrolled along the axis, generates comfortable tranquillity that gives exquisite aesthetics to daily life.

Project Information

Project Name: Tranquil House

Location: Shiga, Japan

Architect Firm: Form/Kouichi Kimura Architects

Date Of Completion: 2019

Site Area: 845,69sqm

Floor Area: 158,65sqm

Photography: Norihito Yamauchi, Yoshihiro Asada