2008-08-29

Next Generation House

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Next Generation House, designed by Sou Fujimoto Architects, is a 4 x 4 meter cube of solid Japanese cedar blocks assembled like a jigsaw puzzle to create spaces for sitting and lounging.


Clipped from: Next Generation House by Sou Fujimoto Architects | CoolBoom

Next Generation House by Sou Fujimoto Architects




The next generation house, designed by Sou Fujimoto Architects, is a small housing module for weekend use located on the edge of a forest overlooking the River Kuma at Kumakura, Japan.


Clipped from: Next generation house

Heavy yet light

Next Generation House is a small housing module for weekend use, located on the edge of a forest overlooking the River Kuma at Kumakura, opposite the temple of Shibatatehime. The client is a timber merchant.



The small pavilion, a 4x4 m cube, is made by assembling solid Japanese cedar blocks kept in place by their own weight and connecting metal cables running through vertical drill holes.



Some of the inside cubes are laid off-centre to create shelves, small living areas and even steps to move from one level to another.



Offsets in the wall cubes also create windows with views of the surrounding countryside. The oblique glass windowpanes are held in place with plastic plugs. The mobile sheets are in transparent acrylic.



Two roof skylights provide extra natural light – an architectural feature over which Fujimoto takes special care. At night, artificial light visible from the outside helps to dematerialise the cube by mixing the warm tones of wood with the amber glow of incandescent bulbs, emphasising the ways in which a structure made up of heavy wooden elements can seem so light and airy.
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Next Generation House by Sou Fujimoto Architects | CoolBoom
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