FORM / kouichi kimura architects: house of silence

‘house of silence’ by FORM / kouichi kimura architects, shiga, japanimage © takumi otaall images courtesy of kouichi kimura architects

located in a semi-dense neighborhood in shiga, japan, the ‘house of silence’ by japanese firm FORM / kouichi kimura architects consists of a highly geometric composition of solid and void with exposed rough concrete and reflective tiles that create a sculptural livable object. spaces are experienced as a sequence of cloisters marked by their unique ceiling heights and various treatments of light so that every room is a different environment. there are almost no windows to further control exterior daylight for the preferred ambiance and maintains plenty of privacy from the exterior. the dark surfaces of the interior may seem to give a somber appearance, but their finishes actually reflect light and views from different directions, illuminating the interior with a variety of direct and indirect sources. the rooms overlap in many ways, where the roof plan of one is the exterior balcony of another. courtyards create pockets of private outdoor space with an almost sacred tranquility, improve ventilation and assure natural light even deep within the concrete structure.

front elevationimage © kei nakajima

entryimage © takumi ota

resembling a belfry image © takumi ota

entry courtyardimage © takumi ota

image © takumi ota

formal entranceimage © takumi ota

entry corridorimage © takumi ota

guest room (in brick volume)image © takumi ota

work area with view to terraceimage © takumi ota

image © takumi ota

kitchen areaimage © takumi ota

kitchenimage © takumi ota

living roomimage © takumi ota

counter by living roomimage © takumi ota

bathroomimage © takumi ota

(left) ladder to upstairs loft area in kid’s room(right) upstairs corridor with a skylight that resembles a waterfall effectimage © takumi ota

kid’s bedroom with loft spaceimage © kei nakajima

corner site locationimage © takumi ota

 exterior of terraceimage © takumi ota

floor plan / level 0

floor plan / level 1

section

section

project info:

architects: FORM / kouichi kimura architectslocation: shiga,japanclient: privateconstruction year: 2012site area: 394.42 m2constructed area: 321.23 m2