There are interchanging views in the Horizontal House.

One can frame different views through the horizontal slit even by moving parallel to it. The river and the village are seen while standing, the mountain is seen while sitting, and the sky is seen while lying down.

The slit emphasizes the viewed scenery and encourages a viewing game.

The Horizontal House is not like the house when seen from the outside. It looks like a retaining wall and is literally a continuation of the existing stone wall. The village consisting of only six residences contained within this old stone wall can be seen through the slit towards the north. A communal passage, the Tsukiaimichi, exists on the South side. Right of way is given to the villagers even though cuts through private property. The client pays his respect to the Tsukiaimichi by retaining it and at the same time preserves his own privacy by creating another layer of walls.

Data

Architect: EASTERN design office.,Inc.
Kyoto, Japan, www.eastern.e-arc.jp
Client: Private
Location: Shiga, Japan
Description: residential
Area: 311.50 sq.m.
Project team: EASTERN design office + Jin Sasaki
Date: 2007
Contractor: Marusho Co., Ltd

Credits & Copyrights

Design: EASTERN design office + Jin Sasaki
Photoes: Koichi Torimura
Source: EASTERN design office.,Inc.

click images to enlarge

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