situated in the hills of the boso peninsula, on honshu island, japan, yuusuke karasawa architects has designed a weekend house entitled ‘villa kanousan’. the two-floor private residence form is composed as an extruded square, which is apparent in the tectonic theme of the architecture and its many apertures. skylights and windows are constructed as rotated cubic voids. each is composed at a different angle, and expressed in three-dimensions cutting away at the adjacent floors, walls and ceiling. the series of openings results in framed views throughout the house that lead to the outdoors. the regular arrangement of rooms are enhanced with geometric intricacies that add visual interest to the space and strong connections between rooms. re-defining privacy, the residents can see one another regardless of which room or floor they occupy.

 

 


four rotated cubes are carved out of the space
photo: koichi torimura

 

 


the voids create visually engaging spaces
photo:koichi torimura

 

 


the unique cut-outs draw views through multiple rooms
photo:koichi torimura

 

 


the curving stair contrasts against the hard edges of the orthogonal forms
photo: koichi torimura

 

 


each room it its own independent space, physically closed off with doors, but visually open by the voids
photo: koichi torimura

 

yuusuke karasawa architects: villa kanousan
the cubic cutouts are rotated according to an algorithm
photo:koichi torimura
yuusuke karasawa architects: villa kanousan
light plays in prismatic forms throughout the dwelling
photo:koichi torimura
yuusuke karasawa architects: villa kanousan
even when the doors are closed thresholds between rooms are constantly open
photo:koichi torimura
yuusuke karasawa architects: villa kanousan
one of the voids connects all the rooms at once
photo:koichi torimura
yuusuke karasawa architects: villa kanousan
entering the house
photo:koichi torimura
yuusuke karasawa architects: villa kanousan
views of the outdoors penetrate the home
photo:koichi torimura
yuusuke karasawa architects: villa kanousan
the voids redefine privacy
photo:koichi torimura
yuusuke karasawa architects: villa kanousan
bathroom
photo:koichi torimura