Ho-House Residential Building

Ho-House Residential Building is an innovative residential architectural project located in Takarazuka city, Hyogo, Japan, that exemplifies a harmonious blend of minimalist design principles and abstract spatial concepts. Completed in 2020 after a four-year development period, this remarkable structure spans a total floor area of 217.42 square meters on a 306.99-square-meter site. The building's distinctive design philosophy centers on the concept of architecture as a vessel within the infinite universe, achieved through the innovative folding of white, thin reinforced concrete slabs that appear to lose their mass and texture. This architectural approach shifts sensory interpretation from figurative to abstract, creating a seamless continuity between interior and exterior spaces. The design incorporates a thoughtfully planned layout featuring a courtyard terrace that connects various living spaces while providing privacy within its dense residential context. The project, which earned a Silver A' Design Award in the Architecture, Building and Structure Design category in 2021, showcases exceptional technical innovation, particularly in its structural solutions such as the specialized slab-cutting technique that creates an illusion of thinness despite structural requirements. The building's relationship with nature is emphasized through its engagement with the sky and its ability to merge indoor and outdoor spaces into a unified experience, reflecting the Japanese architectural tradition of harmonizing with the natural environment while introducing contemporary design elements.

Author: Adam Dawson

Keywords: residential architecture, minimalist design, concrete construction, Japanese architecture, spatial innovation, contemporary housing

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