House of Silence by FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects
Japanese studio FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects designed this concrete house in Shiga to be deliberately alien to its neighbours (+ slideshow).
![House of Silence by FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects House of Silence by FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/01/Dezeen_House-of-Silence-by-FORMKouichi-Kimura-Architects_SQ_1.jpg)
Named House of Silence, the two-storey building contains rooms with split levels and varying ceiling heights, creating a segmented structure with overlapping volumes and protruding walls. "The client wanted to have a house which is not influenced by the environment of its location," explains architect and studio founder Kouichi Kimura.
![House of Silence by FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects House of Silence by FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/01/Dezeen_House-of-Silence-by-FORMKouichi-Kimura-Architects_1.jpg)
"This house will give you the experience of going through a variety of sequences, like going through cloisters with the light," he adds.
![House of Silence by FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects House of Silence by FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/01/Dezeen_House-of-Silence-by-FORMKouichi-Kimura-Architects_3.jpg)
Above: photograph is by Kei Nakajima
The roof staggers up to its highest point in the north-west corner, creating a tower that Kimura refers to as a belfry.
![House of Silence by FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects House of Silence by FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/01/Dezeen_House-of-Silence-by-FORMKouichi-Kimura-Architects_29.jpg)
Unlike the surrounding houses, most of the building's walls and ceilings are concrete and the architect has also picked out a few surfaces with textured ceramic tiles.
![House of Silence by FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects House of Silence by FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/01/Dezeen_House-of-Silence-by-FORMKouichi-Kimura-Architects_16.jpg)
A small courtyard contains seating areas slotted into horizontal recesses.
![House of Silence by FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects House of Silence by FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/01/Dezeen_House-of-Silence-by-FORMKouichi-Kimura-Architects_17.jpg)
Some furniture inside the house uses the same materials as the architecture, so tiled worktops appear to extend from the walls and a glass dining table rests upon a precast concrete base that matches its backdrop.
![House of Silence by FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects House of Silence by FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/01/Dezeen_House-of-Silence-by-FORMKouichi-Kimura-Architects_12.jpg)
One long concrete wall extends along the north-west facade, enclosing a large parking area for residents.
![House of Silence by FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects House of Silence by FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/01/Dezeen_House-of-Silence-by-FORMKouichi-Kimura-Architects_11.jpg)
Japanese architect Kouichi Kimura set up his studio in Shiga in 1991 and other projects he's completed include the House of Representation that features a large light chimney and the House of Integration based on traditional folk houses.
![House of Silence by FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects House of Silence by FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/01/Dezeen_House-of-Silence-by-FORMKouichi-Kimura-Architects_8.jpg)
See more stories about FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects »
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Photography is by Takumi Ota.
![House of Silence by FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects House of Silence by FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/01/Dezeen_House-of-Silence-by-FORMKouichi-Kimura-Architects_9.jpg)
Here's some more information from Kouichi Kimura:
House of Silence
The client wanted to have a house which is not influenced by the environment of its location.
![House of Silence by FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects House of Silence by FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/01/Dezeen_House-of-Silence-by-FORMKouichi-Kimura-Architects_20.jpg)
This architecture, which is composed of a concrete volume, has not got many windows and is closed by walls, but has got a variety of space inside that you will never imagine from outside.
![House of Silence by FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects House of Silence by FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/01/Dezeen_House-of-Silence-by-FORMKouichi-Kimura-Architects_19.jpg)
The rough concrete finish, shiny tiles and an opening like a belfry will give you a hint of the variation of spaces inside.
![House of Silence by FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects House of Silence by FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/01/Dezeen_House-of-Silence-by-FORMKouichi-Kimura-Architects_25.jpg)
The inside spaces are divided by the ceiling height, the different levels of floor and type of lights, and are then connected by the circulated line of flow.
![House of Silence by FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects House of Silence by FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/01/Dezeen_House-of-Silence-by-FORMKouichi-Kimura-Architects_23.jpg)
Above: photograph is by Kei Nakajima
The inner court is cut off from the outside environment and shows a variety of expressions as the light changes.
![House of Silence by FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects House of Silence by FORM Kouichi Kimura Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/01/Dezeen_House-of-Silence-by-FORMKouichi-Kimura-Architects_15.jpg)
Above: photograph is by Kei Nakajima
Moreover, the contrast of the height makes the space even deeper and wider than it actually is.
![House of Silence by FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects House of Silence by FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/01/Dezeen_House-of-Silence-by-FORMKouichi-Kimura-Architects_13.jpg)
This house will give you the experience of going through a variety of sequences, like going through cloisters with the light.
![House of Silence by FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects House of Silence by FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/01/Dezeen_House-of-Silence-by-FORMKouichi-Kimura-Architects_5.jpg)
Above: photograph is by Kei Nakajima
It exists as a landmark in the town, but it also has highly secured privacy and variety of spaces inside.
![House of Silence by FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects House of Silence by FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/01/Dezeen_House-of-Silence-by-FORMKouichi-Kimura-Architects_6.jpg)
Above: photograph is by Kei Nakajima
Architects: FORM / Kouichi Kimura Architects
Location: Shiga, Japan
![House of Silence by FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects House of Silence by FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/01/Dezeen_House-of-Silence-by-FORMKouichi-Kimura-Architects_26.jpg)
Client: Private
Construction Year: 2012
![House of Silence by FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects House of Silence by FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/01/Dezeen_House-of-Silence-by-FORMKouichi-Kimura-Architects_28.jpg)
Site Area: 394,42 sq m
Constructed Area: 321,23 sq m
![House of Silence by FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects House of Silence by FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/01/Dezeen_House-of-Silence-by-FORMKouichi-Kimura-Architects_PLAN_1.gif)
Above: ground floor plan
![House of Silence by FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects House of Silence by FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/01/Dezeen_House-of-Silence-by-FORMKouichi-Kimura-Architects_PLAN_2.gif)
Above: first floor plan