Though it has the rugged industrial look of a converted warehous—complete with exposed-beam ceilings and corrugated-metal siding—this house in Japan's Shiga Prefecture, a district adjacent to Kyoto, is a new build, designed by local firm ALTS Design Office for a young family. Though the client had envisioned living in a converted industrial space, practical concerns (like insulation costs and cost and construction considerations) reared their heads. So, ALTS created a two-story open-plan residence that is striking for its simplicity: wood paneling and concrete reign supreme in both common areas and private spaces.
∙ Ishibe House / ALTS Design Office [ArchDaily]