FORM / Kouichi Kimura have served up another spectacular family home in Shiga, Japan. In a bid to change common perceptions of concrete, the architects have used concrete in a design that appears to float above the ground. Use of light is the main tactic: lights around the south facade and industrial entrance raise the house, giving a modern feel and a bright foundation, softening the concrete.
![House](https://images.opumo.com/storage/lookbook/5c5c6c51f261c.jpg)
![House](https://images.opumo.com/storage/lookbook/5c5c6c5ea1520.jpg)
The property is built on a busy highway, so windows are few and far between, instead, the concrete exterior protects the inhabitants from noise and the undesirable surroundings. Inside, the concrete is lit in such a way that the usually hard raw material seems soft and tranquil.
![House](https://images.opumo.com/storage/lookbook/5c5c6c453f482.jpg)
Although the property features an open floor plan, slight changes in height of floor and ceiling distinguish living areas. In addition, a patio railing obscures the busy road, inviting the eye upwards to enjoy the views of the landscape in the distance.
![House](https://images.opumo.com/storage/lookbook/5c5c6c370114e.jpg)
The Tranquil House is a display of great architectural intelligence, using little details to great effect.
Images by Norihito Yamauchi, Yoshihiro Asada / FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects
Want more of the best in modern architecture? Then check out Omar Gandhi's incredible lookout on Cape Breton Island.