metallic steel sheets clad residence by MASA architects, reflecting the changing sky in japan

the structure evokes an abstract streetscape, where shifting light and layered spatial elements create a fluctuating perception of place.

MASAYOSHI edited by thomai tsimpou March 25, 2025 3 min

MASA Architects completes residence for piano teachers in japan

MASA Architects completes IEIE in Urayasu City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan, a project that integrates residential and professional spaces within a single structure. Designed for a couple who hosts piano lessons, IEIE incorporates multiple house-shaped volumes within a larger architectural composition. The structure evokes an abstract streetscape, where shifting light and layered spatial elements create a fluctuating perception of place. Horizontal metallic steel sheets clad the exterior, reflecting the changing sky.

metallic steel sheets clad residence by MASA architects, reflecting the changing sky in japan - 1 — all images courtesy of MASA Architects

natural light changes throughout the day, transforming IEIE

The Japanese architecture firm explores the idea of an urban experience within a private dwelling, where spaces are not rigidly defined but flow into one another. At dawn, sharp beams of natural light enter through a house-shaped slit at the top, illuminating the interiors with a soft glow. Throughout the day, light filters into different volumes—falling first into the entrance, then into the toilet—guiding movement and subtly altering the ambiance. At dusk, a mix of blue-tinged natural light and warm artificial illumination enhances the atmospheric depth of the MASA Architects’ house, making it feel less like a conventional home and more like a space shaped by chance, akin to a cave.

A striking element of the design is a bedroom perched atop the main house volume, resembling a birdhouse. This elevated retreat emphasizes the layering of domestic and urban references, reinforcing the conceptual framework of the structure. Meanwhile, the eaves, shaped like piano keys, provide an interactive feature for children attending piano lessons, adding a playful architectural gesture to the composition.

metallic steel sheets clad residence by MASA architects, reflecting the changing sky in japan - 2 — reflecting the changing sky

metallic steel sheets clad residence by MASA architects, reflecting the changing sky in japan - 3 — MASA Architects completes IEIE in Urayasu City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan

metallic steel sheets clad residence by MASA architects, reflecting the changing sky in japan - 4 — a project that integrates residential and professional spaces within a single structure

metallic steel sheets clad residence by MASA architects, reflecting the changing sky in japan - 5 — designed for a couple who hosts piano lessons

metallic steel sheets clad residence by MASA architects, reflecting the changing sky in japan - 6 — IEIE incorporates multiple house-shaped volumes within a larger architectural composition

metallic-steel-sheets-clad-residence-masa-architects-changing-sky-japan-designboom-large01 — an urban experience within a private dwelling

metallic steel sheets clad residence by MASA architects, reflecting the changing sky in japan - 7 — the structure evokes an abstract streetscape

metallic steel sheets clad residence by MASA architects, reflecting the changing sky in japan - 8 — shifting light and layered spatial elements create a fluctuating perception of place

sharp beams of natural light enter through a house-shaped slit at the top illuminating the interiors with a soft glow spaces flow into one another throughout the day, light filters into different volumes a bedroom perched atop the main house volume, resembles a birdhouse at dusk, a mix of blue-tinged natural light and warm artificial illumination enhances the atmosphere

project info:

name: IEIE
architect: MASA architects | @masa_architects

location: Urayasu City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan

lead architect: Masayoshi Nakanishi

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