Fridae

But what about the energy efficiency of this place?
A design like this would only work in certain parts of the world. Can you imagine this in the Alps! On the one hand it would be gorgeous - but BOY! what a heating bill!

So dont have it in the Alps then .. duh!

One has to be more cynical of such architectural propaganda -
WALL-LESS? What do you call that vertical plane supporting the shelves in the bottom picture and what about the low walls below those windows? It's the press that's selling architecture today - with all its hype. This house is a nightmare to heat in winter and is an oven in summer!
With global warming and other environmental problems, can we have architecture that is more environmentally responsible and sustainable? Not just pretty pictures from the same few Jap architects. That would really be enlightening!

Soe of the best design are kept simple...yes, there will always be critics, but if the owners have stayed there for 9 years, I think the architects have build a house right for the environment. I used to live in Setagaya and looking at the surroundings, it is not a concrete jungle or the alps. I fyou look at it carefully, yes there re supportig pillars and some shelves as wall but essentially it is well designed without any typical full height wall. The low walls create a paranomic view and yet give some level of privacy especially in the bedroom. The house also has curtains all round it, so that helps with insulation as well. It is easy to comment and use big words like environental friendly and substainable or energy efficiency....is so, lets all live in caves then houses with imagination. creativity makes life interesting. I am not an architect, though I have a house designed by a world famous architect and yes, it might not qualify to be energy efficient but as a designer, I do appreciate one when I see a good design and concept.

yah..my school is selling sustainability to us hard. I myself do care about the environment but not focusing on just that. The site planning and customer's needs are important as well. Afterall, they are the owners and the patrons for the places. If they like what you built for them and enjoy living there, why not?