間 (Ma) House Design Version 5

This house design began a few months ago. The initial layout derved its physical and conceptual basis from the Japanese word 間 (Ma). This word, roughly translated, means between. Aesthetically, it refers to a space between that further defines its surroundings (again roughly and quickly recapped). The design of the house used the kanji character for actual physical layout and to define the open spaces between the physical structure of the house. The house is designed to be an earth sheltered home with two open areas (naka niwa) within the layout. The largest is in the middle of the layout with a dining room protruding outward. This open area is enclosed by glass on all sides.