# Maze-Filled Minimalist Houses The House of Hyogo Cascades Through Stairs and Slopes By Akihiko Tse | Published 2013-10-10 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/house-of-hyogo References: [designboom](http://www.designboom.com/architecture/shogo-aratani-architect-associates-house-in-hyogo-10-07-2013/) & [ararchitect](http://www.ararchitect.com/) Perched right where the [top of a hill](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/concrete-house-1) meets the start of the reclining gradient, the 'House in Hyogo' is a open, maze-filled house that uses stairs, slopes and large monolithic volumes of space. The house, which was designed by Japanese firm Shogo Aratani Architect and Associates, has a large barrier that follows the groove of the hill that looks like a gated rampart on the west side of the house. Inside, the [large gray concrete structure](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nakano-house) is characterized by a [layered, open space concept](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ymk), with each level requiring a set of stairs or a slope to reach. The steps and slopes meander up from the entrance all the way up to the ceiling, giving the house a cascading feel. The lowest portion of house holds the entrance and guest room, while the middle hosts the living and dining space, with the highest levels hosting the main bedrooms. Photo Credits: [designboom](http://www.designboom.com/architecture/shogo-aratani-architect-associates-house-in-hyogo-10-07-2013/), [ararchitect](http://www.ararchitect.com/) ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.6/10 - Popularity: 98% | Activity: 93% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) > [Eco Architecture](https://www.trendhunter.com/ecoarchitecture) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Maze-filled Houses:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Designing homes with maze-like layouts that offer unique and interactive living experiences. - **Minimalist Architecture:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Creating minimalist structures that utilize open spaces and distinctive design elements. - **Cascading Spaces:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Incorporating cascading layouts into building designs to maximize vertical space usage. ### Who This Affects Most - **Architecture:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Redefining architectural norms by integrating unconventional design features and spatial arrangements. - **Real Estate:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Developing and marketing maze-filled homes as a unique selling point to attract buyers seeking distinctive living spaces. - **Interior Design:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Exploring interior design strategies that complement maze-like layouts, optimizing flow and usability. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Stepped Hillside Residences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/b2a-architects.md) - [Staggered Floor Modern Residences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/house-of-seven-floors.md) - [Minimal Japanese Home Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/house-in-kyobate.md) - [Concrete Boxes-Overlapping Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/house-in-tsurumiku.md) - [Intersecting Block-Formed Narrow Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/house-in-fujidera.md) - [Minimalist Concrete Complexes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/residential-project-in-tokyo.md) - [Hillside Embedded Residences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/house-in-the-slope.md) - [Ever-Changing Japanese Houses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kumagaya-house.md) - [Chilean Hillside Retreats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/house-in-three-heights.md)