Glass Wall Domus Habitationis by Atsushi Hio

Glass Wall Domus Habitationis by Atsushi Hio is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2023 Praemium A' Design Award Argenteum in Architectura Competition Category.

ArgentumArchitectura· 2023

Glass Wall Domus Habitationis

by Atsushi Hio

Client: Arks Design Studio

Praemium A' Design Award Argenteum Winner in Architectura Category

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Verified Award Winner

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Colors

The Design

About Glass Wall Domus Habitationis

Murus Vitreus est domus habitationis anno MMXXII Himeji in Iaponia aedificata. Domus in colle sita est in regione habitationis tranquilla, et clivo terrae utitur ad secretum tuendum. Structura ex concreto ferro firmato electa est, ut spatia interiora ampla et magna contra terrae motus firmitas praeberentur. Frons aedificii in tres formas quadratas diversis altitudinibus positas dividitur, ne species monotona appareat. Una pars murum vitreum continet, qui spatium atrii illuminat. Vena ligni tabularum cedrinarum in muros concretos translata est, ne superficies frigidae videantur.

The Recognition

About the Praemium A' Design Award Argenteum

Glass Wall Domus Habitationis victor est Praemii A' Design Award Argenteum, honoris eximie amplissimi formis summi generis, pulchris et conspicuis dati. Victores Argenti opera valde splendida et creandi ingenio praedita sunt, quae praestantem peritiam, talentum et acumen auctorum suorum ostendunt. Exspectatur Glass Wall Domus Habitationis opus mirabile, exemplare, valde professionale et penitus novum fore. Haec forma Argento victa inventum notabile et admiratum est, quod ad fines artis, scientiae, formandi rationis et technologiae promovendos confert. Glass Wall Domus Habitationis creatio est, quam multi invident, quae cupiditates excitat, sensus bonos affert et admirationem miraculumque movet.

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