naoko horibe's family house in japanese suburbs merges with surrounding barns

sited on a street where japanese old traditional houses prevail, the family residence ‘house in sugie’ by horibe associates architect’s office merges with the surroundings maintaining the conventional shape of a local barn. for this project, the architects aimed to create a house which harmonizes with its context in both materiality and geometry.

the façade follows the design of old houses and warehouses remaining in the surrounding area
all photos by yohei sasakura

horibe’s house is in the hiraya (jp. imagination) style, composed of 3 consecutive kirizuma roofs — a traditional japenese roof consisting of two simple sides. through slits and apertures in it, blue skies are visible from the interior. white is the predominant color here, while natural materials, such as wood, compose the rest of the interiors.

the three gable façade echoes village fabrication

two gardens are generated from gaps in the house’s layout — one for tranquility and time with family; the other, for movement and hosting guests. 

a festival ‘naginata matsuri’  is held once a year on the street

project info:

name: house in sugie

architects: horibe associates architect’s office

location: sugie-cho, moriyama-shi, shiga prefecture, japan

completion year: 2018

gross built area: 120.73 sqm

lead architect: naoko horibe

structure consultants: syunya takahashi – structural building research institute

construction: daikanekomuten

photography: yohei sasakura

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: maria erman | designboom