Même – Experimental House / Kengo Kuma & Associates

Même – Experimental House / Kengo Kuma & Associates - Image 4 of 49Même – Experimental House / Kengo Kuma & Associates - WindowsMême – Experimental House / Kengo Kuma & Associates - Image 24 of 49Même – Experimental House / Kengo Kuma & Associates - LightingMême – Experimental House / Kengo Kuma & Associates - More Images+ 44

Taiki, Japan
Même – Experimental House / Kengo Kuma & Associates - Fence, Garden
Courtesy of kengo kuma & associates

Text description provided by the architects. We were in charge of the first experimental house, and in the process of designing, we got a number of clues from “Chise,” the traditional housing style of the Ainu. What is most characteristic about Chise is that it is a “house of grass” and “house of the earth.” While in Honshu (the main island) a private house is principally a “house in wood” or “house of earthen wall,” Chise is distinctively a “house of grass,” as the roof and the wall are entirely covered with sedge or bamboo grass so that it can secure heat-insulating properties. Also, in Honshu the floor is raised for ventilation to keep away humidity, whereas in Chise they spread cattail mat directly on the ground, make a fireplace in the center, and never let the fire go out throughout the year. The fundamental idea of Chise, “house of the earth,” is to keep warming up the ground this way and retrieve the radiation heat generated from it. 

Même – Experimental House / Kengo Kuma & Associates - Windows
Courtesy of kengo kuma & associates

Here is how section of the house is structured: We wrapped a wooden frame made of Japanese larch with a membrane material of polyester fluorocarbon coating. Inner part is covered with removable glass-fiber-cloth membrane. Between the two membranes, a polyester insulator recycled from PET bottles is inserted that penetrates the light. This composition is based on the idea that by convecting the air in-between, the internal environment could be kept comfortable because of the circulation. 

Même – Experimental House / Kengo Kuma & Associates - Image 24 of 49
Courtesy of kengo kuma & associates

We do not treat insulation within the thickness of heat-insulation material only, which was a typical attitude of the static environmental engineering in 20th century. What we aim at is a dynamic environmental engineering to replace it for this age. That we utilize the radiant heat from the floor is part of it, and it has been verified that you could spend several days in winter here without using floor heating. The other reason we covered the house with membrane material was our longing for a life surrounded by natural light, as if you were wrapped in daylight on the grassland. Without relying on any lighting system, you simply get up when it gets light, and sleep after dark – we expect this membrane house enables you to lead a life that synchronizes the rhythm of the nature. 

Même – Experimental House / Kengo Kuma & Associates - Wood
Courtesy of kengo kuma & associates

In one part of the house, a wooden insulated window sash is installed external to the membrane. It is a new device to monitor the living environment of the house by changing various types of sashes. Likewise, all glass fiber cloth in the interior can be removed so that we can continue many kinds of environmental experiment.

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Cite: "Même – Experimental House / Kengo Kuma & Associates" 23 Jan 2013. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/322830/meme-experimental-house-kengo-kuma-associates> ISSN 0719-8884

Courtesy of  kengo kuma & associates

北海道实验住宅/隈研吾联合事务所

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