The Light Sheds designed by FT Architects is a unique photographer's studio that showcases the intersection of functionality, budget constraints, and design aesthetics.
This single-room studio, located in the hilly region of southern Kanto in Japan is a testament to the power of simple, pragmatic design solutions. The architects utilized a timber frame, gable roof structure to maximize the available volume within the limited budget. To overcome the issue of reducing the clear height for photo shoots, the roof was distorted into a multi-faceted, asymmetric form, supported by three ridge beams.
The use of translucent polycarbonate panels and a combination of skylights and clerestory windows create an interior that is always bright, even while being enclosed. The wide windows facing the lush garden further blurs the architectural boundaries, creating a duality of being both inside and outside. The log beams employed in the construction not only serve a pragmatic purpose but also bring symbolic associations of being one of the oldest building materials.
At the core of the practice's design philosophy is the application of pragmatic structural solutions, while also exploring ways to inherit and translate the purity of traditional Japanese timber compositions into modern construction. The Light Sheds is a perfect example of this approach, as it demonstrates the modern significance of primitive materials and their ability to create meaningful devices in design. In conclusion, The Light Sheds stands as a remarkable example of how design constraints can inspire creative and beautiful architectural solutions.
