The concrete, rough dome became the "shelter" for a house and the gallery, with a spacious courtyard in its very centre by Kimiyoshi Sasaki + Takayuki Bamba.
The owner's desire was to interpret "life in nature" in the most daring and simple way as it’s possible. He wanted a house that would not only be immersed in the existing surrounding but would also become a permanent part of it.
"Eat in the courtyard, read a book on the roof or fall asleep staring at the night sky" these words faithfully reflect the main assumptions of the architect so that the external space is actively integrated into the architecture of the building - so that current residents can always feel connected with nature.
The shape of the dome uses a gentle curvature and blends seamlessly with the surrounding environment, taking into account existing trees and height differences. By providing a large circular opening in the center, where the ceiling is highest, and thanks to the 1: 1 ratio of the interior to the courtyard, it becomes a space where changes in the external environment dynamically influence the atmosphere in the interiors.
Concrete, which is both construction and finishing material, is placed in a clay formwork filled with earth and sand from local terrain. The architect's goal was to create a curved, free-form surface that mirrors the unevenness of the existing terrain, creating quiet rooms with dampened reverberation. The architectural object was not only to "look" natural, but above all to be a real part of the environment.
The interior and exterior works as well as some concrete works are carried out by the owner himself, who is also an interior designer. The current space is constantly renewed through daily extensions and renovations. The architect himself compares this process to gardening: “Over time, this space where you can experience nature will not only serve as a residence, but can be covered with greenery and more integrated with nature. It is an architecture that resembles an open cave."
