![AD Classics: Silver Hut / Toyo Ito & Associates - Table, Lighting, Chair, Beam, Windows](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5147/3d9b/b3fc/4b93/2300/002b/newsletter/4-800.jpg?1363623322)
Known for his conceptual designs, Japanese architect Toyo Ito is arguably one of the world’s most innovative architects. He began his architectural career with a project for his sister in 1976 called “The U House,” located in the center of Tokyo. The U House contained windows on the inside facing a courtyard instead of the typical outward-facing windows. This was Ito’s first experimentation with the ways that light enters buildings, and he expanded this idea to an even greater extent in his next project: the Silver Hut in Nakano, Tokyo.
Read about the Silver Hut after the break.
![AD Classics: Silver Hut / Toyo Ito & Associates - Table, Chair, Bench, Arch](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5147/3d93/b3fc/4b93/2300/002a/newsletter/2-800.jpg?1363623313)
The Silver Hut was built to be Ito’s home in 1984. It incorporates perforated and transparent screens that references the lightness and translucency of traditional Japanese building methods, but adds a contemporary twist. Ito viewed perforated aluminum as having the same capabilities and effects as paper screens and movable walls, which are typical Japanese design techniques.
![AD Classics: Silver Hut / Toyo Ito & Associates - Table, Chair, Patio, Courtyard](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5147/3df0/b3fc/4b93/2300/002c/newsletter/Silver_Hut_2_Tomio_Ohashi.jpg?1363623399)
One of the characteristics of the Silver Hut that sets it apart from other houses is its series of criss-crossed arches that form the various roofs. The central area has the longest spanning arches and serves as an outdoor retreat. These braced arches create a pattern of triangles, some being transparent while others have a taught, light skin stretched over them to block some of the light.
![AD Classics: Silver Hut / Toyo Ito & Associates - Chair](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5147/3d90/b3fc/4b93/2300/0029/medium_jpg/3-800.jpg?1363623310)
The arches throughout the rest of the house are mostly covered, but there are a few triangles that allow light to pass through. Light becomes rare and precious inside, showing how Ito’s work began to experiment more and more with diaphanous skins.
![AD Classics: Silver Hut / Toyo Ito & Associates - Cityscape, Facade](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5147/3d9a/b3fc/4bd7/3c00/0031/newsletter/toyo.jpg?1363623320)
Ito’s house was undoubtedly inspiration for his future projects. In fact, he created a direct reenactment of his house, and it was also given the same title of "Silver Hut." This Silver Hut is located in Imabari, Japan and is part of a two-building project: the first is Steel Hut which is utilized for exhibition space of Ito’s work while Silver Hut is used for workshop activities. Silver Hut uses the same arch-like roof made from rhombic frames that are bridged over beams.
![AD Classics: Silver Hut / Toyo Ito & Associates - Facade, Arch](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5147/3e25/b3fc/4bd7/3c00/0032/newsletter/Silver_Hut_1_Tomio_Ohashi.jpg?1363623448)
Arches, frames, and experimentation with light have been key interests of Ito throughout his architectural career. To see other projects by Ito, click here .