III-BOX: A Harmonious Blend of Design and Nature

Masahiko Sato's Award-Winning Residential Design

The III-BOX house is a residential design that prioritizes the happiness and comfort of its inhabitants. Each room is designed to be independent yet seamlessly integrated with the natural environment. The design concept was inspired by the desire to create a living space that ensures privacy and safety while promoting a sense of ease and joy among family members.

What sets the III-BOX house apart from other designs is its unique interplay of light and shadow. At night, the house's shadow changes with the moon and stars, creating a dynamic visual experience akin to the changing expressions on a person's face. The exterior columns, made of inorganic concrete, provide a rhythmic contrast to the predominantly wooden walls, beams, and front door. As night falls, the house takes on a warm and homey appearance, further enhanced by the wooden cantilever that gives the first floor a floating effect.

The design of the III-BOX house is not only visually striking but also technologically innovative. The living room features a skylight that brings natural light into the house, creating a unique ambiance. The design also optimizes space usage, promoting communication among family members by arranging rooms closely together. The house's structure is primarily wooden, with siding as the exterior finish. It includes three bedrooms and can accommodate up to 10 cars in its parking lot.

The III-BOX house was designed by Masahiko Sato, with assistance from Yukihiro Nishiyama. The design was completed in March 2013 in Omura city, Nagasaki, Japan. The design process involved extensive research into how people interact with their living spaces and how these spaces can be designed to enhance joy and comfort. The design also faced the challenge of using natural materials for the interior columns and beams to regulate moisture and improve the indoor environment.

The III-BOX house has been recognized for its design excellence, winning the Golden A' Architecture, Building, and Structure Design Award in 2016. This prestigious award is granted to designs that reflect extraordinary excellence and significantly impact the world with their desirable characteristics. The III-BOX house, with its innovative use of space, light, and natural materials, truly embodies these qualities.