Japanese architect Kouichi Kimura has completed a concrete house in Shiga, Japan, as a self-contained space that promotes serenity and silence. More about Kouichi Kimura builds fortress-like Tranquil House in Japan
This family house in Japan's Shiga prefecture was designed by local studio Hearth Architects around an indoor garden, which is planted with a tree that extends towards a skylight. More about Hearth Architects completes family house in Shiga with tree-planted atrium
Sheets of corrugated steel envelop the upper storey of this house and studio for a photographer in Japan's Shiga prefecture, which was designed by Kouichi Kimura to feature an interior that makes dramatic play of light and shadow. More about Kouichi Kimura completes steel-wrapped home and studio for photographer in Shiga
This family house in Shiga, Japan, is made up of two structures – a simple two-storey block set on a patio, and a small timber pavilion that opens out to a landscaped garden (+ slideshow). More about Maibara House by Alts Design Office combines a windowless block and a small garden pavilion
The wooden frame of this two-storey family home in Japan's Shiga Prefecture is disguised by a layer of ridged steel panels (+ slideshow). More about Junichi Kato clads House in Shigaraki in dark brown-coated steel
Sandwiched between a shrine entrance and a farm in Japan's Shiga Prefecture, this family residence by Japanese architect Kouichi Kimura comprises metal-clad blocks that frame a courtyard (+ slideshow). More about Kouichi Kimura's Courtyard House wraps around a private terrace
A long, horizontal block is hoisted above the ground on a collection of concrete pods, providing views of paddy fields and mountains for the home, gallery and studio of an embroidery artist in Japan's Shiga Prefecture (+ slideshow). More about Satoru Hirota Architects creates a "floating" home and gallery for an embroidery artist
Japanese architect Kouichi Kimura chose grey steel sheets for the exterior of this office and apartment building in Shiga, giving it an armoured appearance (+ slideshow). More about Live-work block in Japan by Kouichi Kimura features a steel-plated facade
This Japanese family home by FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects is arranged as a series of framed spaces, with the ground floor dominated by an art gallery and workspace (+ slideshow). More about Kouichi Kimura's Framing House combines a home and a gallery
This grey-rendered house was designed with strategically placed windows to create privacy for residents in a densely populated area of Japan (+ slideshow). More about Kouichi Kimura's Cozy House is a family home in a busy Japanese neighbourhood
A wooden spine extends beneath the diagonally pitched roof of this diamond-shaped house and artist's studio in Japan (+ slideshow). More about House and art studio by Alphaville features a diamond-shaped plan and a pointed roof
Both curving and straight walls overlap inside this family home in Shiga Prefecture by architect Tsuyoshi Kawata, which was designed to frame views of a nearby park (+ slideshow). More about Curving walls eclipse glazed facade of park-side house in Japan by Tsuyoshi Kawata
A collection of differently sized cuboids make up the volume of this family house in Shiga, Japan, designed by architect Kouichi Kimura to offer "versatile spaces" with "light and scenery" (+ slideshow). More about Kouichi Kimura's Scape House uses a variety of windows to create a hierarchy of views
A cantilevered box containing a wood-lined terrace extends from the vertical core of this house in the Japanese prefecture of Shiga by local architects Alts Design Office (+ slideshow). More about Projecting terrace intersects Minakuchi House by Alts Design Office
This cedar-panelled box in Shiga, Japan, is a family house by Japanese studio TOFU architects. More about N House by TOFU
This concrete house in Hiedaira, Shiga Prefecture, Japan, by Kyoto firm Thomas Daniell Studio, is located next door to the house and studio we published on Dezeen last week (see our earlier story here). More about Hiedaira House by Thomas Daniell Studio
Wooden steps lead to an attic with irregular sloping walls in this residence for an artist in Shiga, Japan, by Japanese studio Tato Architects. More about House in Hieidaira by Tato Architects
An adjacent busy road is screened from this house by Japanese firm FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects, hidden behind a wall suspended over the terrace edge to line up with the boundary wall. More about Gable House by FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects
Japanese studio FORM/Kouichi Kimura have completed a house in Shiga, Japan, that spreads out from a central courtyard. More about House of Spread by FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects
Here's another housing project with slits for windows by Japanese architects EASTERN Design Office, this time in Shiga, Japan. More about Horizontal House by EASTERN Design Office