The house is located in a suburb of a Sapporo city in Japan. The site is inclined gently and the snowfall during winter exceeds 6m there. It is the edge of domiciliary area and the low prohibits to build houses behind the site.
Where the budget concerns, it is restricted strictly. We decided to divided the foundation of concrete into four levels according to the inclined site. It helped us to reduce the amount of concrete compared to building a large and flat foundation. Simultaneously, the differences in levels divide spaces gently. As a result of it, there is almost no doors in the house. You can still feel the differences of levels on the second floor which was made of wood.
Areas and shape of each levels became uneven to meet the clients demand to reduce the cost. A line graph was appeared when we connected corners of each levels. We found it interesting because it resembles a Japanese traditional screen, "Byou-bu". Byou-bu, which is covered by gold foil, reflects slight light coming from windows sensitively. Also the one equipped with various pictures are able to change the atmosphere surrounding it instantly.
We thought walls of the house had to reflect the light from outside and bring abundant expressions to inside just like byou-bu does. Therefore we paid careful attention to windows. Not only sizes, directions, materials but also the environment surrounding the house such as neighboring houses, trees at the site.
The roof of the house is designed as a line graph too in order to create the intricate experience of light in the small house. The amount and direction of snow falling from the roof is considered.
However "Byou-bu House" is small, it has strong and close relationship with its surroundings.
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