House near Tokyo
Reduced to the archetypal function of a dwelling, Shigeru Ban’s Naked House is a pure enclosing skin. It is his tenth study in building and materials, an architectural experiment set in the countryside, surrounded by paddy fields, and in close proximity to a number of dilapidated huts and isolated greenhouses. Not unlike these structures, the elongated volume of this simple, functional building encloses a single, two-storey-high space. Only the bathroom is divided off. The kitchen, utilities and storage areas are articulated by curtains. Flexible containers on rollers fulfil the function of individual spaces, within which the occupants have their sleeping quarters and zones for withdrawal. The tops of these containers are used as elevated working or play areas. The basic construction of the house consists of slender timber frames that support the segmental arched roof and the facade. The narrow ends of the house are glazed, affording views out to the surrounding landscape. The plastic-clad long facades are closed and translucent, with only occasional ventilation openings. Extruded white polyethylene strands were chosen as the insulation for the translucent skin of the building. Normally used as packing material for transporting fruit, the strands were treated by hand with a fire-resisting substance by the architect’s own assistants and sealed in 500 plastic envelopes. These were divided into smaller cells to prevent the filling slipping down inside the envelopes. The cushion-like elements are fixed to the timber structure with steel clips. The external facade covering consists of two layers of corrugated, glass-fibre-reinforced plastic sheets, which form the weather-resisting skin. Internally, the wall is sealed with a nylon membrane that can be removed for cleaning when required. A layer of plastic between the insulation and the membrane prevents the development of condensation in the internal space and also protects against the ingress of insects. Wholly in the tradition of Japanese architecture, an even level of subdued daylight enters the internal space. This modern enclosure is reminiscent of the typical paper screens found in Japanese houses.
