Inspiration from Japan

We bring you a small tasting of architecturally interesting houses from Japan, where the play of light takes center stage.
We would also like to present inspiration from the Czech Republic in Japan and therefore appreciate it if you register your completed buildings in our competition.

Bubbletecture H

Architect: Endo Shuhei Architect Institute
Designers: Kengo Sasamoto, Aya Umemoto
Photographer: Y. Matsumura
City: Sayo-cho, Hyogo pref.
Area: 994 m²

Concept and Function
The project of the ecological education center and study space by architect Shuhei Endo, titled Bubbletecture H, is a continuation of organic architecture inspired by nature, utilizing curved shapes, surfaces, and structures found in nature and biology. This type of bionic architecture—often associated with fractal mathematics—represents an organic alternative to classic rectangular architecture. The project is filled with bubble shapes and arcs inspired by nature. Imagine a giant snail or mushroom in the landscape created using mathematical and technical processes that combine triangular parts of the building into one eco-friendly organic structure; this gives you a good idea of the project.
The building is located at the top of a hill, overlooking the northern part of the forest. It consists of three "bubble wings" connected into a single structure; thus, the Bubbletecture H combines multiple functions as it serves as a theater, library, and large study space. At the very center of the building is an internal round courtyard.

Materials and Construction
The bionic structure of the Bubbletecture H building is organic yet modular, composed of triangular parts, beams, and fields. The construction appears as if it is emerging from the surrounding terrain and crawling down the slope like a snake, like a living organism made up of growing cells. Prefabricated triangular steel plates with a thickness of 1.2 mm form the "skin," which looks as if it is wrapped around the entire building, including facades and roof, like a stocking. The steel has an intentionally rusted finish that protects the building from further corrosion due to a special treatment; the existing rust, after stabilization, will not spread further. On one part of the roof, sod and moss are also laid down, acting as insulation and adapting the appearance of the building to its surroundings. This element emphasizes the fundamental ecological goal of the entire project, namely reducing CO2 emissions, and gives the building a much softer appearance than is usual for steel. Beneath the steel "skin," beams made of Japanese cypress were used as roof construction, which are clearly visible from the inside, including star-shaped joints. The surface of the slanted walls under the domes was reinforced with a single-layer wooden structure made of cedar wood.
In addition to round and triangular façade windows placed in hexagonal fields at the top of the roof, a whole series of VELUX skylights were integrated into the windows in the inner courtyard. The result is a strong architectural impression, as the skylights appear to float in a transparent space without boundaries. The VELUX skylights integrated in the glass fields in the courtyard also illuminate the cleverly built-in bookshelves in the library space.

More about the project here

House H

Architect: Hiroyuki Shinozaki Architects
City: Chiba

Wooden Y-shaped columns support the ceiling in the rooms and lofts at various levels; this is a family house in the Japanese city of Matsudo designed by Hiroyuki Shinozaki Architects. Eight columns extend all the way to the roof of the house; they overlap and thus support the first floor at various height levels. There are two bedrooms and a traditional Japanese room, and three separate lofts. The living room, dining room, and kitchen are located on the ground floor; the individual rooms are loosely divided into different spaces by appropriately placed columns.
A staircase leads to the split second floor, where the individual rooms are at different levels and are connected to the lofts above by ladders. The floor and furniture throughout the house are made of the same wood as the columns. The roof of the house is parallel to the sloped wooden supports, and the same applies to the windows in the gable of the house. An L-shaped terrace is located at the back of the house and wraps around the dining room from the back.

New Moon building

Architect: Openvision
City: Tokyo

Konara House

Type house
City: Kanagawa