Cliff House: A Balance of Design and Nature

Masato Sekiya's Award-Winning Weekend Residence

The Cliff House, a minimalist masterpiece, was inspired by two primary stimuli. The first was the client's request for a two-car parking and living space within their budget on a section with minimal level area. The second was the breathtaking natural surroundings. The simple yet striking construction of the Cliff House draws attention to the outside, allowing occupants to connect with nature.

The unique properties of the Cliff House lie in its positioning and construction. This concrete fishing cabin is perfectly situated for communing with nature. The design challenges of ensuring adequate volume and safe construction on a riverbank property were met by creating a concrete tube. This innovative design solution not only meets the client's needs but also minimizes environmental intrusion.

The realization of the Cliff House design involved the creation of a concrete tube that extends from a cliff, with parking at road level on the roof. This design not only intrudes minimally onto the environment but is also cost-effective. The outward thrust of the structure is balanced by a counterweight deep in the ground and is supported on ruffle concrete pillars at the fulcrum, which extend down to the bedrock.

The Cliff House was designed with a total area of 70.25 m2 and a building area of 72.68 m2 on a site area of 160.01 m2. The design tags associated with this project include cliff, cabin, minimalist, tube, cantilever, counterweight, riverside, and overhang. These tags perfectly encapsulate the essence of the Cliff House design.

The interaction of the Cliff House design with its environment is another noteworthy aspect. The construction intrudes minimally into the environment, and from inside, there is an impression of suspension in a mystical world. This design provides privacy and a gorgeous view while meeting the client's needs and budget.

The Cliff House is a testament to the power of innovative architecture in harmonizing with nature. This design, which won the Platinum A' Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award in 2019, showcases the genius of Masato Sekiya and his ability to push the boundaries of design while respecting and enhancing the natural environment.