Brother's House Hiroshi Kuno

In Hiroshi Kuno’s design Brother’s House, he wanted to emulate nature in a way. Nature simply exists without pretense, without an expectation of what you will do on or with a particular place.

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So it is with Brother’s House, a simple two-story home with curved partitions separating the interior volumes. From the outside, it looks like a white cube with two transparent sides.

Brother's House Hiroshi Kuno curved walls

Although two stories high, the home’s volume is undivided by a central floor/ceiling, creating a light-filled space that is unhindered by the expected chambers and divisions.

Likewise, the two curving interior partitions do not prescribe a specific program for each section of the home. The spaces can change functionality as needed throughout the day.

Brother's House Hiroshi Kuno ceiling

Single bare light bulbs enhance the feeling of austerity and the absence of pre-programmed functions. Voluminous fabric shades allow for the windows to be covered, protecting the residents’ privacy.

The sweeping white partitions, light timber, and enormous windows create an even greater sense of space and connect the residents to their gorgeous natural surroundings.

Brother's House Hiroshi Kuno window
Brother's House Hiroshi Kuno door

“I think that the program of a residence is made of a small thing which cannot be expressed by language one by one. The general act in a residence, for example, eating, reading a book, sleeping, which considered clearly made to language is also made of continuation of a small thing. I thought that the form for such a nameless programs was required.”

“People put various thoughts in a mountain and lake which form is not made for man. And nature accepts all such thoughts. Also in architecture, I thought that space which responds to the ambiguous occurrence which happens in a residence will be made if a line can be abstracted as if there is no intention.”

Brother's House Hiroshi Kuno from outside

“The partition wall which can not understand why it has become so makes private place, public place, closed place, open place simultaneously, always leaving the space of the big upper part. It solves the usual program and left a space for nameless programs. This partition line does not bear only a certain specific function, but I think that it becomes the form always opened to other various functions.”