Japanese firm Kazunori Fujimoto Architect & Associates have completed a concrete house in Fukuoka that resembles a half-submerged submarine.

House in Ropponmatsu has an L-shaped profile, with the first and second storeys set back so as not to overshadow neighbouring properties.

Outward-facing windows were rejected on the ground floor of the bunker-like house in favour of glazed walls that overlook two enclosed courtyards.

Instead, the only outwardly visible windows are placed at the top of the three-storey turret, which resembles a conning tower.

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Photography is by Kazunori Fujimoto.

Here are some more details from the architect:

House in Ropponmatsu

This house is located in the city area near by the center of Fukuoka city. The shape of the site is long and narrow, 6m x 18m.

We designed this house not to make the shade on the north house next door, as a result, the house with three floors shaped like ''L''.

In contrast to closed outside like a silent sculptural volume, the interior is designed well-lighted and well-opened.

At the ground floor level, we can look whole the long distance of the site through from entrance court to bedroom.

Each room is filled with light and breeze from the two courts.

The storage and bathroom are placed in the second floor, and another bedroom is in the third floor.

At third floor level, keeping a distance from the road, we can get wide range of view, from near the garden tree in the next door, to the faraway mountains.

The simple form, found by the condition of the site, has been transformed into an affluent space for living.

Location: Fukuoka, Japan
Main use: house

Site area: 121m2
Building area: 71.99m2
Total floor area: 99.16m2
Design term: 2010
Construction term: 2011

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