Strange Houses in Japan, from Unusual Shapes to 'Haunted Houses'
Japan is indeed known as an incredibly advanced country, excelling in both technology and innovation. The intelligence of the people in the Land of the Rising Sun is unparalleled. One of the unique aspects of Japan is its house designs. While Japan is known for retaining traditional house structures, some modern homes bring an unusual and distinctive atmosphere to their surroundings. These houses feature unconventional exteriors while still providing a comfortable living space. Here are some intriguing modern Japanese houses that capture attention.
1. The Abiko House - Fuse Atelier
This house is designed for a couple in their 30s and is located in the city of Abiko. The clients themselves wanted the interior to be surrounded by concrete materials so that the furniture inside the house could stand out. To reduce construction costs, the architect minimized the number of columns by reducing the size of the lower area and creating a suspended structure above it. This unique construction approach has become a distinctive feature of the house. It's quite fascinating, isn't it, due to its unconventional design compared to the houses in its vicinity?
2. Reflect of Mineral - Atelier Tekuto
The location of this unique house is near the center of Tokyo. Situated at a street corner, this 44-square-meter house stands out and doesn't look rigid in the street's corner hook. The cantilevered section you see is the garage with a roof used for parking vehicles. Atelier Tekuto, the architect, used the concept of mineral formation and its reflection as the basis for design. The intriguing design process of adding and subtracting forms in the house was certainly executed well by the architect.
3. Tokyo Apartment - Sou Fujimoto
Having a residential home like an apartment is a choice for residents living in densely populated areas. Now, this particular apartment is quite unique. Just imagine, a 4-story apartment that looks like it's stacked on top of other houses. Of course, every space in this building is connected with stairs, both inside the building and outside. This building located at a street corner intentionally highlights the gaps between the building shapes, making it appear as if it's standing on top of the house below.
4. Nasu Tepee House - Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP
This house is built in the Nasu area of Tochigi Prefecture, a famous summer resort region. It stands on an open plot of land surrounded by trees, with a view towards the forest. The homeowners, a married couple who enjoy organic activities like gardening, wanted to live surrounded by trees, making this location ideal for their preferences. The unique pointed shape of the house is inspired by the "tepee" structure, a conical tent that is highly associated with the dwellings of Aboriginal and Native American tribes, as well as the primitive houses of the Jomon era in Japan.
5. Ghost House - Datar Architecture
Named the "ghost house" or haunted house, this house indeed gives off a mysterious vibe. With an all-white exterior, it manages to capture attention. But it's not just on the outside; the interior of this house is also predominantly white, except for the floor. Thanks to its uniqueness, this house has received recognition as the most minimalist house in Japan.
6. S House - Yusuke Karasawa
Clad in glass and steel, this small house is located near Omiya Station in Saitama. This two-story building has a unique form and architectural lines. The crisscrossing stairs further emphasize the architectural lines of the house, creating an intriguing look with its symmetrical network-like structure. This transparent house is truly visible from the outside. Private spaces within the house are found in enclosed areas.
7. House in Saijo - Suppose Design Office
house in saijo | suppose design office
The owners of this house are a married couple with three children. For their children's development, they wanted a house that was open, comfortable, yet provided privacy. The architect aimed to design a house that could fulfill these requirements. This was achieved by a tapered upward shape. However, the uniqueness doesn't end there. The house's design appears buried because its ground floor is below the surrounding terrain. Skylights are used to provide natural light to the uppermost bedroom, which functions as a sleeping area.
So, which of these seven houses do you find the most unique and captivating?
