![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/02/dzn_Wrap-House-by-Future-Studio-0.jpg)
Wrap House by Future Studio
Japanese architects Future Studio have completed a house in Hiroshima City, Japan, where the walls of the building extend to enclose a garden and first-floor terrace.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/02/dzn_Wrap-House-by-Future-Studio-34.jpg)
A diagonal cut in the surrounding wall admits light to the garden and terrace without compromising the privacy of the residents.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/02/dzn_Wrap-House-by-Future-Studio-33.jpg)
Called Wrap House, the building is constructed from timber and clad in black galvanised steel plates.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/02/dzn_Wrap-House-by-Future-Studio-12.jpg)
The first floor living room has one glazed wall separating it from the terrace and garden below.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/02/dzn_Wrap-House-by-Future-Studio-6.jpg)
Photographs are by Toshiyuki Yano / Nacasa & Partners
Here's some more information from the architects:
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WRAP HOUSE
2009, Hiroshima, JAPAN
‘WRAP HOUSE’ is grouping and wrapping the three elements sunlight, spacious sense and privacy to enrich the living space. The site is located in a flat residential quarter in the Southwest of Hiroshima City.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/02/dzn_Wrap-House-by-Future-Studio-4.jpg)
As the site is from all sides surrounded by houses, one of which is directly bordering the site boundary, it was necessary to come up with the following architectural arrangement.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/02/dzn_Wrap-House-by-Future-Studio-7.jpg)
To create a bright and wide space while protecting one’s privacy despite the site’s restrictions, a wall wraps around the full site creating a ‘void’ on the north side while respecting the permitted floor area ratio.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/02/dzn_Wrap-House-by-Future-Studio-9.jpg)
The north orientated living space is extended by a terrace, which is located adjacent to the parking space while facing the street to the north.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/02/dzn_Wrap-House-by-Future-Studio-10.jpg)
In addition, considering the natural sunlight conditions for the neighboring house to the west, a pitched roof was chosen and a v-shaped wall is surrounding the ‘void’ on the east side.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/02/dzn_Wrap-House-by-Future-Studio-15.jpg)
As a result, sunlight shines into the void in the morning and a ‘sunlight well’ is created.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/02/dzn_Wrap-House-by-Future-Studio-13.jpg)
The collected sunlight is reflected by a white wall, and illuminates the room gently. In the early morning, sunlight enters the void from the east.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/02/dzn_Wrap-House-by-Future-Studio-19.jpg)
As the sun rises further it shines through the upper window, and when the sun begins to decline light falls through the skylights.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/02/dzn_Wrap-House-by-Future-Studio-22.gif)
Thus, as the way the light enters constantly changes from sunrise to sunset, the space changes with the flow of time.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/02/dzn_Wrap-House-by-Future-Studio-25.gif)
When the night comes, the diagonally cut wall appears while the scenery around it disappears. A space different to the daytime emerges.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/02/dzn_Wrap-House-by-Future-Studio-26.gif)
The external void space is perceived as an extension of the internal space, while the wrap-around wall is both protecting the privacy of the residence space against the surroundings and creating a spacious impression.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/02/dzn_Wrap-House-by-Future-Studio-23.gif)
The sky can be seen from the bathroom on first floor, while the car can be overlooked from the master bedroom.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/02/dzn_Wrap-House-by-Future-Studio-21.gif)
The entrance for both residents and car is facing the road to the north and is formed by a part of the wall which can be opened and shut providing access to the void space.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/02/dzn_Wrap-House-by-Future-Studio-24.gif)
The sky framed by a diagonal wall extends to the top and an ash tree with a height of 6m penetrates the second floor terrace.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/02/dzn_Wrap-House-by-Future-Studio-20.gif)
This north side buffer zone, although not included in the legal building footprint, plays a role in maximizing the site’s potential.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/02/dzn_Wrap-House-by-Future-Studio-16.gif)
"WRAP HOUSE" with its north facing void is a proposal of a new architectural style resulting from restrictions