naf architect & design: glass house for diver

‘glass house for diver’ by naf architect & design, hiroshima, japan all images courtesy of naf architect & design

tokyo and hiroshima-based practice naf architect & design have recently completed ‘glass house for diver’, an ocean-side residence in hiroshima, japan. the exterior is generated by stacking 1 x 1 x 1.5 meter blocks on top of one another, similar to the form of breakwaters to dissipate waves. manufactured from leftover concrete, the blocks are produced by accumulating the extra material at a cement factory in etajima city in hiroshima. the pace of the house’s construction was directly dependent upon the formulation of the components, as construction waited for their phased arrival to the site. an unusual way to schedule a project’s process, this example of ‘slow architecture’ is not perceived as a normal approach in modern day construction.

a groove cut into the surface facilitates the lifting of the elements into place by crane. reinforcing bars are placed through the unit to stabilize during seismic events. stacked in rows, the alignment of vertical joints dictate the standardized shifts between them to create even intervals. the open-weave arrangement allows wind to pass through while obscuring views for privacy inside. sunlight reflects off the surface and into the interior which is enclosed with a glass wall set inside the perimeter blockade. a steel roof shelters from solar gain.

aerial view

similar to a breakwater, stacked concrete blocks form the exterior walls

ocean view

the dwelling’s walls mimic the oceanside retaining wall

outdoor patio

sunning deck

sunning deck

staggered roof and window planes transition into the interior of the house

gravel path between the concrete blocks and glass enclosure

corridor to the bathroom

glass house

living space

view to the tatami room from the terrace

glass house

glass house

tatami room

view from tatami room to the living room

glass house

glass house

kitchen + dining area

at sunset

at sunset

at dusk

at dusk

at night

terrace at night

terrace at night

site plan

floor plan / level 0

section

masonry block detail

exploded axonometric