Hillside “Scape House” Disclosing a Surprising Geometry in Shiga, Japan

FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects completed the development of the Scape House, a modern family residence in Shiga, Japan. The hillside location of the project and lake views from certain vantage points dictated a design opened towards the landscape. However, the owners’ brief requested a high level of privacy. The “compromise” was to build a home with key-placed window openings: “In this project, versatile spaces that incorporate light and scenery were intended by the windows in order to bring out the best in this house. Scenery viewed through a window is greatly affected by the size or position of the window“, explained the architects.

“The dynamic configuration involving the box-shape volume with rhythmical layout of the windows produces beautiful life scenes where light and scenery are taken in while the eyes of neighborhood are blocked.” The modern spaces reflect visual changes of light and scenery developed while moving around the rooms. Various furniture elements- tables, benches, book reading niches-encourage family activities around the windows. This is why, despite the minimalist arrangements and sober material finishes, the Japanese residence in the photos below can be properly considered a welcoming home. (Photography by Yoshihiro Asada

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