Located in the city of Saitama on the outskirts of Tokyo is the ‘S House’, an amazing maze-like house with a completely transparent façade.
Designed by Tokyo-based Yuusuke Karasawa Architects, the two-storey building is split into five levels housing wall-less, evenly-sized rooms that are connected by a series of criss-crossing staircases instead of corridors.
The floor plan comprises a rectangular grid divided into quarters that have voids in between, meaning some rooms do not meet and are joined only by spaces above and below.
According to Karasawa, the design was a response to the complexities of living in an increasingly digital world.
“Our hope is that this complex, layered network space will become a new architectural form that captures the various activities borne out of today’s informational society, where diversity and order are being demanded at the same time.”
Upon entering, visitors are greeted by a reception room on the ground floor that also houses a dining room, which is accessed through the mezzanine kitchen or living room.
The master bedroom, bathroom and storage area are located on the lowest floor, which is sunken nearly two meters below ground level.
The penultimate level houses a guest bedroom and study, while two secluded roof terraces occupy the uppermost level.
The mostly-white interior contains minimal furnishings, save for oak flooring and hemp carpets in some rooms.
As all four sides of the house are glazed, this means neighbors and outsiders can see right into it.
Check out more pictures of this labyrinthian house below. What do you think of its unusual design?
[via Dezeen, images by Koichi Torimura via Yuusuke Karasawa Architects]