Like natural light? This concrete home isn’t for you

Most homes try to maximize views, but this house in Toyonaka, Japan blocks it out altogether. Designed by FujiwaraMuro Architects, the “House in Toyonaka” is built from three concrete volumes that are connected by small strips of glass.

The “windows” allow just enough light into the house to cast little slivers of sunlight across the stark interior. The glazed minimalism serves a purpose, the architects say. The house is positioned in a dense neighborhood with buildings and neighbors on all sides—the windowless facade is a way to ensure privacy and create a distinct aesthetic.

Photo: Katsuya Taira/Studio Rem

“The smallness of these openings is precisely what makes the sudden glimpses of sky or streetscape they offer so striking,” the architects told Dezeen. ”The way sunlight pours in through them is also remarkable; they serve as devices for making the residents conscious that sunlight constantly shifts over time.”

Photo: Katsuya Taira/Studio Rem

Photo: Katsuya Taira/Studio Rem

Despite its intentional blockiness, the home’s interior still feels relatively airy thanks to high ceilings and cool tones throughout. Thin, glazed cutouts echo the windows and grace inhabitants with a fun, unexpected peek to the level below.