Experience Japan's Shell House Designed by Kotaro Ide

Architect Kotaro Ide designed the "Shell House" simulates the letter "J" English alphabet which stays afloat above the ground by 1400 mm. This sculptural shell-like designed has been built in the green woods of Karuizawa in the region of Nagano, Japan. The house is meant to built as a vacation home which is able to withstand against humid summers and cold winters of the region. Ide opted not to use the typical wood structure of villas in the area because of their susceptibility to decay easily.

The terraces, together with the central courtyard of the main living areas, across the home are carved out of the Ulin wood. The aesthetic structure also comes fully loaded with all modern amenities.

The villa's simple aesthetic blends itself well to the traditional Japanese landscape, thus creating a balance between the futuristic man-made structure and the environment which surrounds it.

The entire project took more than 18 months to conceptualize and two and a half years to complete.

The Shell House

A view of the spiraling central courtyard which sits between the two elliptical masses