‘silver screen house’ by akasaka shinichiro atelier, sapporo, japan images courtesy of akasaka shinichiro atelier / © koji sakai

japanese studio akasaka shinichiro atelier has created ‘silver screen house’, a single family residence located in a high-traffic industrial area of sapporo, japan. situated on a triangular plot of land among a network of intersecting streets and railroads, the home features an enclosed and protective outer shell that separates itself from the surrounding environment.

a corrugated curtain enwraps the house, negating and concealing the complex organization of sheltered and exposed spaces that lie within its volume. a single storey void boldly cuts through the middle of the structure, splitting the dwelling into two internal pieces that ultimately dictate the overall distribution of program and function.

akasaka shinichiro atelier: silver screen house exterior

two inner courtyards, restrained by the boundaries of the reflective silver wall, puncture through both floors of the house and open onto the sky. lining the main spaces on both sides, the voids act solely to introduce elements of nature into the sheltered and private home. on the second floor where the main functions are arranged, two terraces look to further integrate the interior rooms with the gardens, light and air. branching off the main living spaces, hovered above the vegetation below, the balconies aim to establish a sense of expansion and escape within the contained and curious dwelling.

akasaka shinichiro atelier: silver screen house throughway

contrasting materials define the difference between intended habitable space and ‘outdoor’ space. inside, warm wood and soft

white walls juxtapose the encompassing silver panels, evidence of the disconnected exterior shell.

akasaka shinichiro atelier: silver screen houseinternal garden beside throughway

capturing and reflecting a distorted representation of the surrounding environment, the home appears to be in a state of constant flux,

its appearance changing with traffic, time of day and weather.

akasaka shinichiro atelier: silver screen house ground floor

akasaka shinichiro atelier: silver screen house kitchen, living and dining room with view to terrace

akasaka shinichiro atelier: silver screen house living room with view outwards

akasaka shinichiro atelier: silver screen house terrace

akasaka shinichiro atelier: silver screen house overall view of house and surrounding environment

akasaka shinichiro atelier: silver screen house site plan

akasaka shinichiro atelier: silver screen house floor plan / level 0

akasaka shinichiro atelier: silver screen house floor plan / level 1

akasaka shinichiro atelier: silver screen house diagram

project info:

site area: 135 square meters building area: 80 square meters gross floor area: 118 square meters