fumiaso architect & associates designs house with series of irregular spaces in kobe, japan

located in a quiet residential area at the foot of mount rokkō, kobe city, japan, the hat house by fumiaso architect & associates is built as a series of irregularly-shaped spaces, enclosed by a compact triangular shell. the design is focused in maximizing natural light throughout the interior, with inclined inner walls, different materials and openings in different areas.

all images by shigeo ogawa

the project is situated in the middle of a landscape of irregular houses stacked toward mount rokkō, many of which are open towards the south (sea side), thus resulting in some kind of homogeneity. fumiaso architect & associates has developed the hat house as a series of interconnected spaces linked via various archways in different scales. focused on bringing as much natural light within the interior as possible, the architects have chosen materials such as corrugated polycarbonate and reflective silver sheets to complement the wood and concrete used throughout the project. though the exterior shell seems to keep interior spaces shut off from the surrounding landscape, plenty of greenery on the inside, openings and skylights in strategic spots create a sense of being immersed in nature.

project info:

name: hat house

architect: fumiaso architect & associates

location: kobe, japan