The Shadow Created by a Large Roof

The undeniable comfort of a shaded area is an experience everyone has had. People naturally seek shade because the body craves a place where soft shadows and the breeze come together. The idea of recreating the comfort provided by nature through architecture was explored in this project.

The site opens on three sides, benefiting from good ventilation and ample sunlight, while also facing the challenge of heat load from solar radiation. In response to this, the approach was to create a large shadow.

By using a double roof structure, the large roof envelops the building, creating a spacious air volume. During the summer, the layer of air between the roof and the building underneath allows warm air to pass through to the attic via gravity-driven ventilation. In winter, the intermediate layer acts as a heat collector, helping to avoid the convection of cold air and contributing to stabilizing the indoor thermal environment.

The design sought to integrate industrial insulation materials and age-old techniques used to create intermediate layers, blending them in a modern residential form. This approach aims to softly respond to contemporary climate change challenges.

The measure of comfort, a subjective and often ambiguous feeling, is found in familiar experiences. To coexist with the climate and local conditions, the limited elements were carefully combined, and the Japanese wisdom, evolved out of necessity, was reconstructed. This process aims to soften harsh thermal environments and restore the sensation of comfortable temperatures.