Silver Interior Space and Exhibition Design · 2024
S House Private Villa
by Go Fujita
- A' Design Award 2024 Silver Winner in Interior Space and Exhibition Design
- Awarded April 15, 2024
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 28,592
- Verification code 54CC6D6762 · Verify this award
About S House Private Villa
S House is a three-story private residence in Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture, finished in exposed concrete. Neighboring apartment buildings and a busy road made the blocking of sightlines and noise a priority. Exterior walls of varying heights overlap to form boundaries and a semi-outdoor approach, along which outside sounds gradually fade. The entrance presents rough yet delicate tatami-finished walls. Double-height windows bring sunlight into the living area, where tin wallpaper reflects the light softly. Wide openings cut through the thick walls frame changing outdoor views.
Go Fujita's S House Private Villa emerges from a distinguished lineage of architectural practice that honors the expressive potential of raw materials while orchestrating space and light as primary experiential instruments. This interior composition exemplifies the phenomenological approach to residential design, where concrete, timber, and glass serve as protagonist materials whose inherent qualities become amplified through careful proportioning and the calibrated introduction of natural illumination. The double-height living space demonstrates sophisticated understanding of scale modulation, with the towering concrete wall establishing a sense of protective enclosure while the extensive glazing maintains vital connection to the external environment. The rhythmic pattern of circular formwork ties across the concrete surface reveals the tectonic logic of construction, transforming structural necessity into ornamental poetry in a manner resonant with traditions established by masters of exposed concrete architecture. The material palette exercises deliberate restraint, allowing the dialogue between cool mineral surfaces and warm timber volumes to generate visual interest through textural contrast rather than chromatic complexity. The carefully positioned seating arrangement suggests this space functions as a zone of contemplation, where inhabitants may observe the constantly shifting patterns of daylight across architectural surfaces throughout the day's passage. The single botanical element introduces organic vitality that softens the geometric rigor without compromising the spatial clarity that defines the design approach. Visitors to this space might consider how the interplay between permanence and ephemerality, between the enduring solidity of concrete and the fleeting geometry of sunlight, creates a meditation on the relationship between architecture and time.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- t is a refined three-story concrete exposed house located in Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture. Due to its proximity to neighboring apartment buildings and a busy road, the emphasis was placed on blocking sightlines and noise. The design incorporates a Japanese perspective, creating a blurred relationship between the interior and exterior, with gently rising exterior walls of varying heights serving as boundaries. As one progresses along the semi-outdoor approach formed by the gaps between overlapping exterior walls, the sounds of the outside world gradually fade away. Upon entering the entrance, one encounters rough yet delicate tatami-finished walls adorned with contemporary art, creating a tranquil space. Ascending the stairs guided by indirect lighting reveals a living area filled with a sense of openness. Sunlight streaming through the double-height windows is softly reflected by tin wallpaper, gently diffusing into every corner of the living space. The expansive openings carved through the thick walls act as screens, framing the ever-changing views of the outside world, adding richness to the daily experience through variations in time and seasons. The transition from the day-filled, expansive atmosphere to the evening living area, adorned with tasteful artwork and modern furniture, creates a captivating and immersive space. Rather than completely separating the elements of interior and exterior, movement and stillness, yin and yang, the design blurs the boundaries, allowing for a space with room for interpretation, resulting in a rich and evocative ambiance.
- Inspiration
- It is a refined three-story concrete exposed house located in Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture.
Colors of S House Private Villa
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G0E23 ShopGrand Interview about S House Private Villa
The road in front of the site has a lot of traffic, so it was necessary to ensure privacy as well as reduce noise. From the beginning, it was decided that there would be no openings in the wall facing the road.
The space was designed simply with a Japanese design approach, and the materials used were traditional techniques. By placing contemporary art in the space, I think it has become a design with depth, not just a minimalist space.
In ancient Japanese temples, gold and silver leaf was used on the walls and sliding doors to let in comfortable light into the rooms. This technique was also used in this building. The light that pours in through the large opening in the atrium hits the leaf walls, creating various dramatic effects.
The view outside makes the space feel larger even while indoors. The exterior walls of the S residence protect privacy, allowing you to relax with peace of mind.
The more private the space, the smaller the area of the space and the lower the ceiling height. This controls noise from outside. Lowering the ceiling height also lowers the line of sight, creating a calm private space.
In the spaces where people spend a lot of time, we prioritized privacy, and in the other spaces, we prioritized openness. I think we were able to create a good balance by creating contrast within the space.
The owner's occupation had a big influence on the design. Since his job is stressful during the day, we paid special attention to the lighting so that the space would be as relaxing as possible at night.
The height of the walls is adjusted taking into consideration the sun's altitude throughout the year. Also, there are tall buildings in the surrounding area, so the design ensures that the private space is not visible from those buildings.
We use different materials in the open and private spaces. Because it is a place for living, we placed importance on creating a sense of comfort, while creating a space where you can experience the changing of the seasons and the changes of the day.
I think the best situation is to spend time in a space where privacy is maintained and you can enjoy the outside scenery, sunlight, and breeze. Rather than creating a space that is completely cut off from the outside, I want to aim for a rich space where you can feel the transitions of time.