The Shell House
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I have always been interested in architecture especially those that blends in with nature. Below is an article extracted from the magazine, modernism. The magazine features an existing architectural concept called “Shell House”, designed by the president of Artechnic Architects, Kotaro Ide. It is a modern concept house built to blend in with the natural world…
The Shell House was built in Karuizawa, Japan… located about 100 miles northwest of Tokyo and 3,000 feet above sea level at the foot of Mt. Asama. Karuizawa is known for their cool summer air with lots of forest trees and open land. The forest has many natural features like waterfalls and hot springs. How beautiful! I love nature and to live near nature very much.
Take a look at the article below… I wouldn’t make my house round shaped, but I really like how spacious the place is, with large windows allowing natural light to enter. Look at how well it blends in with the forest! Do you like it?? I really like the effects. What a beautiful home. I enjoy architectural magazines and books very much. Especially houses blending with nature.
Tsem Rinpoche
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Japanese architecture has traditionally been typified by wooden structures, sliding doors, and wooden verandas. But this Shell House is different, very unique and beautifully designer to suit one who looks for living in nature. The designer has created an unique shape , built in the forest. Such a beautiful house or mansion which blends wonderfully with the Japanese traditions. Wow … looking through those pictures tells all, so spacious and warmth.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.
This house design and architecture is very beautiful and unique. I always love to see new and different types of house architecture. I love the wide and spacious doors and windows which makes it easier to look out and inside.Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this post.
I love looking at stunning buildings specially those built in a natural environment. However it takes a real nature lover to be able to create and build something that compliments the nature around the building and at the same time allows the building to sustain in a nature environment that is alive.
In some cases, the nature would fail to sustain and eventually dies off or requires a huge amount of money and effort to maintain. In other cases, the building would fail to sustain and eventually becomes run down.
What is amazing is to find some of these buildings that were built over decades ago and are still as stunning today as they were first built, if not more beautiful. There is much nature can teach us and if we were to listen we would be able to thrive in modern architecture that blends in harmony with nature.
I think that this is a very clever concept that goes to show that the Japanese are extremely good at adapting to their resources and living within nature. When one has respect for nature, they are showing compassion for all the creatures within. Despite having very little land, they are still capable of doing such beautiful things, amazing!
This house really reminds me of the Enchanted Forest in KFR. Personally, I believe that the Enchanted Forest at KFR is much, much more nicer. My view is probably a bit bias due to the fact that KFR is by Kechara. Honestly, it is not that. I just do not like houses that are round in shape hehe. But I love houses that blend perfectly with nature and I love glass houses.
i have been interested in architecture for a while now and i think this house is really cool and original. the perfect house to me is a modern, good view, surrounded by nature house and is open like with glass but not too much. personally i wouldn’t not mind having a house like this, i think it is spectacular.
Wow…I have always admired Japanese architectures. Especially the design, it gels very well with the greens and surroundings. I wish they have them in Malaysia, how good would that be…
Thank You for sharing Rinpoche.
Love, beatrix.
I love this kind of designs,the house looks so cooling as it it is among the trees.
Thank you for sharing.
This shell design house is unique and I guess suitable for the owner. It’s tastefully done with semi wood and in earthy colour tones. Nice.
I like the design of the shell house.thank you rinpoche for sharing.
Japanese people like Kotaro Ide are really creative to be able to to have designed such a nice and creative house!
It is a house that combines merges nature world.
It would be very nice to be staying in a house so wonderful like this, imagining waking and the frst thing you see is trees? Coming to think of it it would be really awesome, cooling, shady, and has a lot of fresh air.
If i ever get to stay in a house like this i would even bulid a Private Altar for me to do prayers in the fresh air every morning and evening.
Loving this Idea on the combination of Eco with us, all of us should play a part. I also feel it is up to people like Kotaro Ide to revolutionize the design of the future of all houses.
Thank You Rinpoche for sharing this Article!!!
Love
Jutika
This is so Amazing and beautiful house 🙂 It is for sure will very comfortable and enjoy, when stay in this house..hehe
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this post to us.
I like to see house designs, with different designs, it gives us different feelings towards it, and those that I like are the simple one and not very city like houses.
This shell house is very simple and yet, it is very neat and beautiful, That’s the creation of Japanese, Japanese can always come out with great ideas and inventions. That shows how much determination they have.
With the work of Japanese, it further prove to us that, nothing we can’t do, it is only to see whether we want to do it or not.
This enchanting Shell House has such a lot of light coming in because of the expansive areas of glass. The house is aglow with a warm ambience because of the flood of light. The design also allows for a very natural blend of nature and the build-up part of the house.
It’s a lovely feeling that one is, at one and the same time, in the comfort and security of a house as well as in the warm embrace of trees and nature.
Such a beautiful house which blends into nature. Love the interior where it is simple and basic yet modern. The house looks so cooling as it it is among the trees especially the courtyard has incorporated the large tree that was there before. No chopping down of trees. That should be the way to preserve the environment.
KFR’s Enchanted Forest which is under construction now is also built inside nature where the building is built inside the forest with minimal chopping of trees. More trees, shrubs and grass are planted to make the place greener too.
I like the design of the shell house! I can so imagine myself staying there, praying, doing yoga, meditating, reading my books, etc etc. It looks simple but cosy. I think the best part of the design is how it is surrounded by trees and you will see green every time you look out the windows. I wouldn’t mind staying here! hehe
I can plant my own veggies, have a few mumus running around, install a solar panel on the roof, have a fish pond.. In the middle of the house I’d build a huge altar and have Tsongkhapa sit there majestically. Tsongkhapa will bless me, the enviroment, and the sentient beings around! How wondeful..
That would be the ultimate dream house! Away from the hustle and bustle of the city.. Just fresh air, sunshine and my Buddhas! 😉
Thank you for sharing, Rinpoche!
I like this Zen design as it is simple, fuss free yet modern and practical. The large windows allow sunlight to stream in and give a good view of the outside greenery. However, there may be a need to install curtains or blinds for privacy and to cut off too much sunlight from coming in. I also like the use of wood as it blends in with the environment.
It does have a cave-like essence although not claustrophobic. I appreciate it as a design although personally it would not be my choice as a model of my home. However, I appreciate it when people challenge convention and present alternatives. What I find unique about the house it that it seems to be contradictions in harmony, meaning to day that the unusual shape does embrace nature but at the same time it also stands out like a space sheep in the forest. It works.
The Japanese designers are know for their clean and pure lines and that adds to the attraction. But a limiting factor may be that most of the furniture will also need to be curvy and roundish to complement the design.
Still, it is a ice design that may grow on me over time.
I love this modern raw kind of design, Japanese are always good in very neat and simple get elegant designs, it’s perfect if is in the wood. Beautiful!! Love it!
If I built a house, I would totally follow the style above. It’s SO nice. It’s timeless, clean, sleek, fuss-free, and easy on the eyes. It’s very modern nature-living. The style incorporates a lot of natural elements into the living space, the wood used, the big windows for natural sunlight to stream in, the reduced use of metal, bolt, beams, the curve shape almost seamlessly blends into the greenery surrounding it.
I love it, I love it, I love it! 🙂
Very interesting use of space indeed. The ‘organic’ architecture is somewhat subjective to one’s taste, however the choice of materials and combination curvature and straight lines is like an architects dream!
What I especially loved about this space is the natural light that permeates through this home. Truly a masterpiece that works with the surroundings1
To add to my comment above, there is a feeling of calm and “lightness” that comes from the spacial relation between furniture and sense of space.
The varying heights and clever use of back light and indirect lighting to light up the space gives it a sculptural aspect which adds to the beauty of this home!
I know the curves of the building are meant to convey blending with nature, however somehow perhaps because the walls are thick, it makes the building seem quite heavy. This effect is good if you want to feel like you are in a cave though – the curved ceilings and walls certainly create that feeling. I prefer Frank Lloyd Wright’s Falling Water (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9CVKU3ErrGM#!) perhaps because i’m a traditionalist and like straight lines 🙂 Comparing The Shell House, built in 2008 and Falling Water in 1939, i feel that Falling Water is still a modern design, while The Shell House’s design can look dated. As others have said though, The Shell House is very japanese and zen.. that’s for sure.
The design is is unique and special but the furniture looks a bit boring… Feels like in a hotel.
I must say that overall, I wouldn’t stay there.
If I were to live so close to nature, I would prefer to have my house built with wood with warm lights. Feels more comfortable… Maybe something like this http://www.trendir.com/house-design/quebec-cottage-home-in-woods-1.jpg
Most of buildings around us are built to maximise utility, so we tend to see a lot of buildings that have a lot of concrete and minimal green.Increasingly more and more people like to blend in nature to buildings.
When I look at houses, I always dream of having a house that has trees, green and flowers that makes me feel that I am living in a resort. How nice will it be that we can be back to a place when we can truly relax and enjoy after a long day.
I also like to have large windows, so that I have see more of outside and also to let natural sunlight into the house.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this piece of architectural work with us here.
I love this kind of designs… it’s a combination of nature, modernism, simplicity yet stylish. The shapes are definitely creative, giving the mood and feel of a cave and has a nice balance between contemporary modern look and nature.
The Japanese are always well known for their clean zen like designs that is always in harmony with mother nature. They always take the natural surroundings in to consideration with their design. It shows us how their mind works and how meticulous and passionate they are with whatever they do. Definitely a beautiful master piece.
I like the design with its clean lines and plenty of glass for the spacious effect. Only concern is whether it may be too bright in the morning due to the vast expanse of glass. Its a fuss free house and blends in well with the forest. The zen design gives a calm and tranquil effect.
Japanese designers are very innovative and always find their designs falls together and makes perfect sense. The designs always blend into nature and environment very well and give sense of serene and peace. Very zen look and feel. Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this !
I like the design that brings in lots of natural light, in a way to reduce the use of power. This building does blend in well with the nature, where it stood in harmony without looking awkward or weird. It was designed according to the setting of the trees, not built by flattening the land. However, the square edges of the furniture contradict with the round built of the building. Also, the excessive use of woods for interior gives a rather heavy feel.
I love Japanese architecture. It always looks so good, flowing and has a good sense of balance, space and functionality. Another aspect of Japanese architecture that I really like is the fact that it is based on Buddhism, well Zen Buddhism that is. The minimalism of Japanese architecture is designed to reflect a calm-abiding mind and to reflect the spiritual ideals of the zen spiritual discipline.
Well, I am no expert in Zen Buddhism not Japanese architecture but that’s the feeling I get when i see Japanese designed or inspired interior or exterior architecture. Living within that space also gives me a calm and uncluttered feeling, something akin to the meditative experience of meditation. Anyway, that’s what zen means – meditation.
The Japanese are v skilled in adapting,blending and balancing their home interiors and architecture with nature. They have a lot of respect for nature itself, heritage and culture. Despite living with limited land space, they have been adept in doing this. One of the programs i love to watch is the features on japanese homes renovations on Astro Life Inspired. Thank you Rinpoche for sharing.