Solaniwa

Photo © COGITE
 
It is fair to say that Galvalume® sheet roofing and siding combination is the most popular exterior option for a low cost housing project in Japan these days. Galvalume is a fantastic material developed by Bethlehem Steel Corporation (dissolved 2003) in ’72, and the world wide production is continuously rising since its introduction. The problem in Japan is that most home owners try to build new houses, but the budgets are usually very limited. As a result, there are too many hoses with a warehouse-like appearance (and often in black or similar dark colors!). But that doesn’t make me want to hate Galvalume sheet steel. What I would like is to see more architects willing to make houses look a little more special with this overly popular material… like this new house designed by Cogite, who does great job in the deep south of Japan.

Photos © COGITE
 
^Who: Kensaku Kamamuta / COGITE
^What: Single family residence
^Where: Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture
^When: July 2010
^How: One-story wood frame construction
^{Site Area:} 3,792 square feet (352.25m²)
^{Total Floor Area:} 1,106 square feet (102.71m²)