Glass Wall Wenhûs by Atsushi Hio is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2023 A' Design Award yn Sulver in Arsjitektuer, Gebou en Struktuerûntwerp Competition Category.

SulverArsjitektuer· 2023

Glass Wall Wenhûs

by Atsushi Hio

Client: Arks Design Studio

A' Design Award yn Sulver Winner in Arsjitektuer Category

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Verified Award Winner

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Colors

The Design

About Glass Wall Wenhûs

Glass Wall is in wenhûs dat yn 2022 boud is yn Himeji, Japan. It hûs stiet op in heuvel yn in rêstige wenwyk en brûkt it hellend flak fan it terrein om privacy te garandearjen. Der is keazen foar in konstruksje fan wapene beton om grutte binnenromten en in hege wjerstân tsjin ierdbevings te bieden. De foargevel is ferdield yn trije doazefoarmen op ferskillende hichten om in ientoanich uterlik foar te kommen. Ien diel befettet in glêzen muorre dy't in atriumromte fan ljocht foarsjocht. De houtnerf fan sederplanken is oerbrocht op de betonnen muorren, sadat de flakken der net kâld útsjogge.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award yn Sulver

Glass Wall Wenhûs is in winner fan de A' Design Award yn Sulver, in bûtengewoan prestisjeuze erkenning foar topûntwerpen dy't prachtich en yndrukwekkend binne. Sulverwinners binne tige briljante en ekstreem kreative wurken dy't de treflike ekspertize, it talint en de skerpsinnigens fan har ûntwerpers yllustrearje. Fan Glass Wall Wenhûs wurdt ferwachte dat it in prachtich foarbyldwurk is, opmerklik profesjoneel en djip ynnovatyf. Dit winnende ûntwerp fan de A' Design Award yn Sulver is in tige opfallende, bewûndere útfining dy't foardiel bringt en de grinzen fan keunst, wittenskip, ûntwerp en technology ferleget. Glass Wall Wenhûs is in skepping dêr't breed oerjûn wurdt, dy't winsken wekker makket, positive gefoelens bringt en ferwûnderjen en fernuvering opwekket.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: The client desired a space that secures privacy and makes good use of the difference in elevation of the land.
For this reason a reinforced concrete structure was adopted which allows to keep large interior space and is highly earthquake resistant in Japan, a country prone to frequent earthquakes.
The front of the building has three box shapes arranged at different heights to avoid a monotonous design.
A glass wall is placed in one section. The interior of the glass wall is an atrium space that emits a fantastic light.
The lighting fixtures are the icon of the building.
Dimensions & Packaging: Reinforced concrete construction land area 591 square meters building area 356 square meters
Tags: Glass, Design, Architect, Interior, House, Castle
Production Technology: To maximize interior space and ensure the strength against earthquakes which occur often in Japan, reinforced concrete structures are used. The front appearance of the house is separated into three box shapes to avoid a monotonous design. Part of it has a glass wall In addition the wood grain of the cedar board is transferred to the concrete wall so that it does not look cold.
Design Challenge: While designing building plans exteriors and interiors we are considering a space design with light and shadow using natural lighting and artificial illuminance. They are affected by the time of day and the weather but the expression also changes depending on the material and color of the space. In this design walnut natural wood boards for the walls are used in the rooms but the walnut walls absorb more light than expected so expected brightness is not obtained. But the problem was solved by increasing the illuminance and adding new lighting equipment.
Research: An important aspect of the design of this house is the use of large glass openings in the living room, which has a high atrium, because the house is located on a hill, which allows for privacy from the outside.
By researching how light enters each season in the planned site, the living room was designed to be lit with sunlight all year round, to achieve both design and ecology and to improve performance.
Inspiration: The planned site is a quiet luxury residential area. The surrounding housing complex is about 50 years old and has an old atmosphere. Uniquely designed houses will be odd in this area so harmonizing design with surrounding old houses and rich atmosphere is challenging and a priority. Also this location is on the hill where Himeji Castle World Heritage Site can be seen and the beautiful scenery is wide open in front of the site. So luxury but rustic appearance brings harmony and modern lifestyle but nature inspired inside design brings comfort.
Project Duration: Built in Himeji, Japan in 2022
Operation Flow: We examined how the difference in elevation of the land affected the design and everyday life including how to utilize effective space and ensure privacy.
We devised ideas to make the interior as comfortable as possible for the client by eliminating as many steps as possible.
Image Credits: Photographer　Senichiro Nogami