# Sleek Shadowbox Structures The House of Silence Contrasts its Surrounding Environment By Jana Pijak | Published 2013-01-15 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/house-of-silence References: [frameweb](http://www.frameweb.com/news/house-of-silence-by-form/-kouichi-kimura-architects) & [form-kimura](http://form-kimura.com/) The House of Silence by FORM/ Kouichi Kimura Architects is designed to contrast its surrounding busy urban environment. Located in an industrial area within the heart of Shiga, Japan, this structure resembles a large shadowbox that creates depth with the help of overlapping linear forms. The concrete abode is heavy and guarded, featuring only a few windows that hide its interior spaces. Though seemingly dark and cold, the home's interior is surprisingly open and bright, contrasting its [heavy exterior facade](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/raw-house). The 321 square meter House of Silence by FORM/ Kouichi Kimura Architects is designed to resemble an [ancient fortress](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/stealth-1), essentially hiding and protecting its inhabitants from their surrounding outdoor environment. With a variety of linear forms and volumes, the structure's varying ceiling heights separate its rooms and levels. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.7/10 - Popularity: 46% | Activity: 28% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Contrasting Architecture:** Contrasting the exterior facade with the interior spaces could create disruptive innovation opportunities in architectural design. - **Linear Form Utilization:** Exploring the potential of linear forms and volumes in constructing buildings can lead to disruptive innovation in architecture. - **Hidden and Protected Spaces:** Designing structures to hide and protect inhabitants from their surroundings presents opportunities for disruptive innovation in architectural concepts. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Architecture:** Architects can capitalize on the trend of contrasting architecture to create novel and unique building designs. - **Interior Design:** Exploring the contrast between dark exterior facades and open, bright interiors can inspire innovative interior design concepts. - **Urban Planning:** Creating hidden and protected spaces within urban areas can revolutionize the way cities are designed and utilized. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [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) - [Raw Concrete Industrial Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/house-in-nishizaki.md) - [Wooden Louvre Secluded Residences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/house-in-aoyama.md) - [Angled Concrete Forest Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/block-wall-house.md) - [Black-Metal Angled Holiday Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shadow-box-house.md) - [Concrete Block-Formed Residences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blockwall-house.md) - [Refined Modern Dwellings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/silver-house.md) - [Modern Kyoto House](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/element-house.md)