Located in one of the country’s most exclusive residential areas, this mansion sits on a flat site surrounded by other homes. To ensure privacy and also maximize use of the large area for the interior, we built the residence around two courtyards, one large and one small. The foyer, living room, and dining room face the large south courtyard. Depth and dynamism were created by connecting these rooms to the courtyard at different angles. Additionally, the amount of entering light is regulated by broad eaves and relatively narrow apertures, which also give rise to an interplay of light and shadow, resulting in expressions that change with the sun’s position. Meanwhile, soft light pours into the living room from the small north courtyard through a large aperture. The difference in the type of light entering from each courtyard is both visually perceptible and physically palpable. Both the interior and exterior construction predominantly reflect an all-white motif, with the use of stone, tile, and glass generating three-dimensionality throughout the space. With this design, we succeeded in delivering on the client’s request for “a forever home that inspires relaxation and serenity.”
