Japanese architect Keiji Ashizawa referenced louvres on townhouses in Kyoto when designing the concrete House in Aoyama, which is intended to foster a sense of privacy.
Located in Tokyo's central Aoyama area, the home is designed for a family with a child and two dogs.
The home is located by a busy intersection in central Tokyo
House in Aoyama's location at a busy intersection led Keiji Ashizawa Design to create a design that would offer its owners privacy, which informed the choice of concrete as the building material.
"We had to choose a material resilient to acoustic disruption and vibration for the urban context," studio founder Keiji Ashizawa told Dezeen. "Considering the need for a basement, rooftop, and balcony, we picked concrete as the best fit." Louvres made from Itauba wood offer privacy
Tall wooden louvres shade the entrance of the four-storey house and its balcony, helping to shield it from neighbours and passersby.
"Louvres create subtle seclusion within the urban setting with a soft ambience, often seen in traditional townhouses in Kyoto," Ashizawa explained. "They serve both as a privacy screen and light filter."
The louvres also help shade the interior
The studio used a tropical hardwood to create the louvres.
"To achieve a sleek and slender design in the delicate louvres, we chose Itauba wood, a tropical hardwood known for its water resistance and strength, making it ideal for thin and long parts," the arc...