Silver Architecture, Building and Structure Design · 2022
Double Skin House
- A' Design Award 2022 Silver Winner in Architecture, Building and Structure Design
- Awarded April 15, 2022
- CLIENT: Nobuhito Mori
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 29,249
- Verification code A3E4361AE0 · Verify this award
About Double Skin House
This building is a three-story wooden structure in a densely built up area of Tokyo. Although the site is small and the distance from the neighboring land is only about 1m, light and privacy were required. Inspired by the traditional Japanese shoji which softens the light, the designer have created a modern light filter that is resistant to wind and rain and can also be used outside. The translucent cladding on facade softens the light from outside and blurs the visibility of both passerby's and inhabitants. At night, the lighted facade become a large light to illuminate the streets.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- It is a three-story wooden structure in a densely built up area of Tokyo.
Although the site is small and the distance from the neighboring land is only about 1m, light and privacy were required.
The translucent cladding on facade softens incoming light and blurs the visibility of both passerby's and inhabitants.
At night, the lighted facade become a large light to illuminate the streets. - Dimensions & Packaging
- Site area:35m2
Building area:19m2
Total floor area 55m2
Main structure: timber frame
Number of stories:3 - Tags
- House, Minimal, Simple, Compact, Facade, Light, Double skin, Polycarbonate, Japan
- Production Technology
- The translucent cladding:
Polycarbonate is used as a weatherproof and semi-transparent material, and to enhance its strength, folded plates and flat sheets are attached with plastic bars.
Openings where it is necessary to block the view from the outside are covered with the translucent cladding, while emergency access and ventilation openings are exposed. - Project Duration
- Location: Kikuicho, Tokyo, Japan
Completion year: 2011 - Inspiration
- There is a traditional Japanese partition, the shoji, which is a way of ensuring light and privacy.
The shoji consists of a thin wooden frame covered with translucent paper, which softens the incoming light and blurs the interior.
Inspired by the shoji, the designer have created a modern light filter that is resistant to wind and rain and can also be used outside. - Image Credits
- Photo/Masayoshi Ishii
Colors of Double Skin House
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Innovative Residential Architecture for Challenging Urban Sites
We transform difficult sites into exceptional homes. With three decades of experience solving complex challenges—narrow lots, irregular shapes, privacy concerns—we create luminous living spaces that maximize every square meter.
G0E23 ShopDesign Interview about Double Skin House
We aim for problem-solving design.
The idea was to protect privacy while taking in light.
Nothing particularly.
It took 10 months from design to completion.
The decision to fulfil the functionality was made by trial and error, from the choice of material to the installation method.
We only plan to use it for buildings designed by us, as it needs to be considered in the context of the situation.
This was because the case was a narrow plot of land with difficulties in the living environment.
None in particular, as it is an original idea.
We don't know because we have not been affected by other influences.
This is the point at which the building is covered with the concept of a latticework, fulfilling the elements of lighting, ventilation and blindfolding.
This is because it covers the building like a skin further outside the building envelope.
After repeated trial and error with sketches and prototypes, they were made into CAD drawings.
We aim to create designs that have not yet existed in the world.
Samples were ordered from the material manufacturer and designed through trial and error with the firm's staff. The installation method was discussed on site with the construction company.
This is a translucent, weather-resistant material choice.
Samples of various materials and physical property data were collected and studied.
The challenge is the difficulty of the installation method.
This is the recruitment notice that came to the office.
We realised that we could create new values by considering architecture from the study of materials.
I would like to use this material as well as other materials to create new architecture in different parts of the world.