House with Funnel Roof

Oita, Japan

Architects: NKS2 architects

Location: Oita, Japan
Year: 1999

The wooden house for an elderly couple is situated in the middle of country side the forest. Three components of "Omoya/main building", "Hanare/guest room", and "Syako/garage" sit on the site with a distance which differentiate the character of remaining exterior space.

The funnel roofs marking the sheltered area, collect rain water and create the visual effect of a waterfall splashing into the pond in front of the entrance. The interior ceiling traces the roof shape, which covers the whole building and connects various places underneath. The light slits just under the roof introduce the constantly moving sunlight to the inside space, or show the flowing cloud inside. The wooden sliding doors covering openings towards the garden prevent typhoon storms, and work as shades against the burning summer sun. Through these filtering surfaces the wildness of nature is tamed becoming a lively natural phenomenon for the residents.