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Mysterious Sanctuary for Japanese Family

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This odd house with these tiny, carefully composed windows is from mA-style architects, in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.

It looks more like something that Marco Polo might have encountered in the lonely Himalayas, than a new house in a modern Japanese city.

The entrance is tall enough for Marco Polo to ride in on horseback, carrying a banner.

The huge expanse of space makes for an interesting view up.

The very few windows gives it that mysterious ancient feeling.

The floor plan reveals the mystery of why there are so few windows out.

The entire house surrounds a two story courtyard in its center.

The result is rather narrow rooms, but with such an abundance of glass facing into the central space that they are not at all claustrophobic.

One corner of the top floor is glass, so that it is a skylight – bringing more light to the floor below.

The benefit gained is an intensely private family house with light filled interiors, despite having nearly no windows out.

Far from being cold and distant, it has the inviting welcome of a tent in the mountains.

There is a diffused quality to the light from the internal courtyard, because it is reflecting off white walls into each of the four sides.

A tranquil, private and pure space is created: a real sanctuary.