green screen house by hideo kumaki architect office

green screen house by hideo kumaki architect office
all images courtesy of yukinori okamura and mayuko ebina

incorporating passive design principles, ‘green screen house’ by japanese firm hideo kumaki architect office, is located in saitama, japan. the house features a large green wall that is supported by the building’s curving facade. a spattering of natural light filters through the leaves into the outdoor space below, while the screen also helps to shade the building’s interior during the summer months. wanting to reflect the site’s former presence as a field used to supply food, and also as a beautiful rose garden, nature played a big role in the landscape and design. the courtyard was constructed around the previous location of two cheery trees, helping to connect the spaces together. through a detailed examination of the site’s wind flows, the green wall is positioned in the optimum location for plant growth and also cross ventilation through the building’s interior. an environmentally considered design feature, it helps to reduce the building’s energy consumption – modifying the internal spaces naturally without the need for air-conditioning. the screen also functions as an extra room for the house, offering a relaxing space for the family to enjoy dining together. the use of straight lines has been avoided, so that no boundary between spaces exists, and there is no clear definition of their function. the curving form increases interaction between its occupants as the different zones merge into each other.

screen acts as an extra room for the house, offering a relaxing space for the family to enjoy dining together

the play of sunlight through the green screen

thermally incorporated design principles help the energy consumption of the building’s interior

a barrier-free entrance

the wall of a backrest

view looking towards the kitchen with the green exterior feature

the house without screen between the months of november and may

detail showing the edge of the roof

project info:

architects: hideo kumaki architect office
design team: hideo kumaki(dir), natsuko mashimo
structure engineering: ohno japan
location: saitama, japan
year: 2012 (including green screen)
photo credit: yukinori okamura and mayuko ebina
location: saitama, japan
use: housing (residence)
site area: 600.00 sqm
bldg. area: 128 sqm
gross floor area: 130 sqm
landscape area: 450 sqm
parking lot: 3 cars
exterior finish: render finish + wonderboard

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