Gravel coats the exterior of this house in Japan by Keitaro Muto Architects, including a wedge-shaped block with outward sloping walls.

Named Ginan House, the two-storey residence is located at the back of a long and narrow site, behind a gravel garden that separates it from the street.

A small swimming pool is tucked into a recess in the facade, marking the divide between the two overlapping blocks that comprise the building.

Sloping walls continue inside the house and separate the two bedrooms and staircase in one block from a third bedroom and a living and dining room in the other.

A walk-in-closet and small toilet are also located on the first floor and can only be accessed by crossing a metal bridge.

We've also just featured another Japanese house, which is shaped like an arrow.

See more Japanese houses on Dezeen »

Photography is by Apertozero.

Here's the architect's project description:

"GINAN ", whole site including a building is like a Japanese garden.

A client requested me to relocate a garden stones and trees from a garden of the house which he used to live.

This site is long and narrow. I left half site on the road as a "garden" for future for their children.

The whole site is as a "garden", spread gravel all over the site and placed some big garden rocks and trees.

The building stands as if it was a part of this garden.

This diagonal wall which is made with gravel makes the ground look as if it were standing up, making it a magnificent scene.

Inside this architecturally designed building(mass), you will find the bedroom, bathroom and other rooms where you will be able to have your own space for comfort and privacy.

The spaces left by the volumes are open spaces where the family can get together.

Both the inside and outside of this house were dynamically designed to give the owner an open and clear feeling as if they were in a garden.

Architects: Keitaro Muto Architects
Collaborators: Atushi Fujio
Location: Hashima-gun, Gifu, Japan
Use: Residential
Structure: Timber frame construction
Completion: 2012
Project Area: 147.86 sq m

Site plan - click above for larger image

Ground floor plan - click above for larger image

First floor plan - click above for larger image

Section - click above for larger image