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An Austere Private Home in Japan Invites Meditation

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Here is yet another reticent home hidden in plain view from Form/ Kouichi Kimura. Their Gable House is located in Shiga, Japan.

The site is in an uninviting urban setting, on a heavily traveled main road. But the clients hoped to create a serene retreat.

So, the entrance shields the house interior from view. The light coming into this front entrance comes through these openings in the roof.

By day, that light creates an infinite view as daylight bounces off the exterior privacy wall.

The interior is drenched by a cool light from above.

Instead of windows out, revealing the uninviting exterior of industrial street views, light is everywhere poured down from skylights.

So this entrance doubles as an austere meditation space/living room.

Set up stairs from the open living area, at the entrance to the private part of the house, is a study.

The study retreats back from the main living space, creating an inviting space to read.

Behind the study is the simple kitchen.

To the other side of the study, the bedroom.

From the bedroom the view is also serene and peaceful.

Hallways to the bedroom also open onto drenched skylight views.

Kimura has proved to be adept at providing many tranquil views within a small space, in circumstances where the world outside is harsh and uninviting.