The rotating blades of a windmill, towering over the numerous trees of a man-made forest, mark the entrance to the house of Regina. Thereafter a narrow path leads one to a cluster of sloping roofs that blend into their natural surroundings. Warmth and lightness Regina's house stands on stilts in a shallow pond. A bridge takes one over into the outdoor space that is the heart of the home, the nucleus, held on each side by the three structures that surround it. I find myself a seat under the shade of a tree, and while Regina is looking for photographs of her house in the making I have a moment to myself to notice the features of this building language and recognise the elements that contribute to the overall feeling of warmth and lightness.
Natural materials are thoughtfully and delicately used, revealing the inherent beauty.
The main house, the kitchen and the bathroom, that are separate structures, are all connected through this outdoor space, enabling the activities of the kitchen and living area to spill over as needed. The three mud structures are so light in their presence that one would hesitate to call them buildings, the word suggesting massive and solid images. The structures are pucca, but light and Japanese in their character. When I was studying architecture, and when I came across Japanese architecture, I got hooked on to this kind of spirit. And it's not like we are in a desert where thick walls are needed for climatic comfort.