futtsu weekend house topped by a folding rooftop by atelier MEME

a holiday retreat along japanese coastline

Perched along the coastline of Chiba, Japan, Atelier MEME completes this Futtsu Weekend House as a design-minded holiday retreat. The project is at once an escape from urban life and a dialogue with the surrounding landscape — a celebration of the relationship between architecture and nature. The home overlooks its gently sloping site and dramatic coastal scenery beyond, with sunlight dancing across the vast seascape and glimpses of Mount Fuji gracing clear days. But the architects aimed beyond just views. The structure itself becomes a frame, spotlighting specific landscape moments. Triangular windows on each side act as frames, drawing the eye towards the lush greenery and the ever-changing sea.

images courtesy Atelier MEME

atelier meme sculpts a folding rooftop

Planning the Futtsu Weekend House, the architects at Atelier MEME reject a rigid, boxy design, opting for a more fluid approach. The roof, which largely defines the sculptural architecture, splits into four sections, each cascading towards the ground. This creates a dramatic visual presence while enhancing the structure’s stability and functionality. The absence of columns maximizes the open floor plan, lending a sense of connection with the outdoors. Beneath the dynamic, folding roof is a cohesive living space. Wooden beams and K-braces weave a structural tapestry, ensuring safety without obstructing the views. This interplay of form and function is evident in the single-pitched roofs, reminiscent of windmill blades, which provide horizontal rigidity without interrupting the flow of space.

the weekend house on the coast of futtsu, japan frames ocean views and glimpses of mount fuji

the house frames views across futtsu

Natural light floods the interior of Atelier MEME’s Futtsu Weekend House and gradually transforms the spaces throughout the day. Sunlight filters through strategically placed windows, casting playful shadows on the walls. The gentle sounds of waves lapping at the shore and the wind through the trees become part of the living experience, while views gaze toward the surrounding rock formations. From the kitchen, the gaze travels upwards, past the soaring roof to the lush cliffs beyond. This visual connection enhances the living experience, backdropping each meal with a landscape view.

the rooftop is shaped by four quadrants of intersecting angles
the home is hidden among the lush coastal landscape
triangular windows act as frames of the sloping site and ocean beyond