A common belief within architectural circles is that buildings should be influenced by their surrounding context and blend with it, whether man-made or natural. Japanese studio FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects have been known for going against this school of thought to create a range of dramatic monolithic structures, and their latest project – a spectacular concrete house in Shiga, Japan, is no different.
![Opumo](https://www.opumo.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Opumo-Photographers-House-1.jpg)
Built primarily out of mortar and galvanised steel, the house has been built as the ‘ultimate minimalist dream house’ made specifically for a photographer with its inbuilt studio and all-white gallery space.
The house sits opposite the neighbourhood shrine, and the modern exterior of the property has been designed to contrast with its traditional surroundings, giving the viewer a glimpse into Japan’s diverse architectural landscape.
Inside, the premises is detailed with wooden accents to give the space both a clean and contemporary feel. The open plan layout contains the photography studio, gallery space and living quarters and has been designed to maximise natural light – an essential for a photographer.
Take the tour of the unique photography studio in the image gallery above and check out another pioneering Japanese home in the form of the Grid House.
Architects: FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects
Images: Yoshihiro Asada. Norihito Yamauchi