The owners of this single-family house west of Tokyo wanted to upgrade it in order to use it as a holiday home, but also to rent it out during the week as a studio. The architects removed the balcony extending across the south facade and the existing windows. They also extended the punctuated facade another story to give definition to the roof terrace.
At a distance of 30 cm to the facade they erected a new glass skin with sliding elements – as a light-weight thermal skin that sheathes the uninsulated building. Between the two layers an 8-metre-high curtain provides solar control. In this way the architects created a close link between the newly planted garden and the interior. Moreover, the reflection of light on the glass brightens up the shady garden.
At a distance of 30 cm to the facade they erected a new glass skin with sliding elements – as a light-weight thermal skin that sheathes the uninsulated building. Between the two layers an 8-metre-high curtain provides solar control. In this way the architects created a close link between the newly planted garden and the interior. Moreover, the reflection of light on the glass brightens up the shady garden.