“Want to go for a walk in the park? On my roof?” That winning question could be yours if you lived in “Secret Garden,” the latest home designed by architect Hisanori Ban.
It all started many years ago when the current homeowners went camping with the family one summer. They stumbled upon a ravine and decided to venture down into it where they discovered a beautiful yet secretive spot tucked away from the other swarms of campers. After the trip the family returned home only with memories of the distant spot. Never would they think it would be reincarnated into their home.
The fairly large plot of land, located in Komaki City (Aichi prefecture) was located on a busy street, explained Ban, and was used as a primary commuting route for a nearby elementary school. The architect spoke with the family and learned about the concerns they had about privacy and the need for a secluded space. During their conversations he also learned of their camping trip and decided to give them their long lost secret ravine on top of their home.
Ban was able to take advantage of the sloping plot of land and create a garden that slopes up towards the sky. The concrete wall shrinks as the garden rises, creating privacy where needed but also allowing for a sense of spaciousness.
