flow: si house

'si house' by flow in azami, japan
all images courtesy flow


japanese architecture practice flow (takashi satoh) has sent us images of 'si house',
a single-storey family home in a rural area of japan. seeking to dissolve the boundaries
between the internal and external environments, the design features a large central courtyard
that connects the house together.



exterior view


situated on a desolate plot adjacent to an elementary school, the low-lying structure is
fronted by a large opening into the courtyard that serves as an entrance archway. a fabric curtain
can be drawn to provide a translucent privacy for the outdoor space. mostly closed off to
the immediate site, the facades that face inward to the courtyard are completely transparent
through floor-to-ceiling glazine. additional natural light is drawn in by elevated windows
that are placed on the slanted roof form that are inverted outwards.



street view



outdoor curtains closed



outdoor curtains opened


u-shaped in layout, the dwelling's domestic program flow around the central courtyard.
multiple visual connections are made between different areas of the house, layering the spaces
around the outdoor pocket. as a result, the courtyard becomes a buffering zone between individual
environments. the raised roof allows additional vertical space for a small loft level which
overlooks the space below.



view of courtyard






view into the interior space






kitchen and living



view of courtyard from inside



ladder leading up to loft



loft and elevated windows



tatami room



lighting effect



courtyard at night