![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/11/dzn_Picnic-by-Norisada-Maeda-Atelier-05_squ.jpg)
Picnic by Norisada Maeda Atelier
Tokyo-based architects Norisada Maeda Atelier have completed a house comprising three long strips in Tsukuba Ibaraki, Japan.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/11/dzn_Picnic-by-Norisada-Maeda-Atelier-211.jpg)
Called Picnic, the residence is divided into three parallel strips, separated by gardens.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/11/dzn_Picnic-by-Norisada-Maeda-Atelier-17_squ1.jpg)
The building comprises a steel structure with metal interior and exterior finishes, resting on a concrete base.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/11/dzn_Picnic-by-Norisada-Maeda-Atelier-19_squ1.jpg)
Glass curtain walls are used to continually relate interior and exterior spaces, and afford views to the Tsukuba mountain beyond.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/11/dzn_Picnic-by-Norisada-Maeda-Atelier-201.jpg)
More about Norisada Maeda on Dezeen:
Here's some information from the architect:
--
The architecture of Picnic consists of 3 roof surfaced areas, that respond to each other in a parallel correlation to create a striped pattern .
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/11/dzn_Picnic-by-Norisada-Maeda-Atelier-181.jpg)
By doing so, the architecture results in constructive parts with roofs, that build an inside, the room itself. Those parts without roofing create an outside, the garden.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/11/dzn_Picnic-by-Norisada-Maeda-Atelier-061.jpg)
As seen in the right picture, from left to right, the zebra-like structure breaks up into the following stripes: garden – room – garden – room – garden – room – garden. Both functional units are alternately parallel arranged to become one composition.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/11/dzn_Picnic-by-Norisada-Maeda-Atelier-111.jpg)
Within the Picnic structure of the aforementioned roofed and unroofed parts, some of those are discontinued in order to establish a deeper appearance in between the relationship of the inside and outside.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/11/dzn_Picnic-by-Norisada-Maeda-Atelier-101.jpg)
In this relation, the third garden from the left shapes a pool. In order to make the architecture coincide with the landscape scenery, transparency is applied to the outer walls.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/11/dzn_Picnic-by-Norisada-Maeda-Atelier-081.jpg)
To achieve the maximum impression of blending inside and outside into each other, clear glass is being used for most of the room forming parts.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/11/dzn_Picnic-by-Norisada-Maeda-Atelier-071.jpg)
Additionally those surrounding walls are partly consisting of shiny stainless steel, to reflect the outside as well as the inside, depending on your location in the architecture structure.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/11/dzn_Picnic-by-Norisada-Maeda-Atelier-131.jpg)
With taking advantage of this effect, the building itself functions as a mirror and makes you experience an atmosphere in which every place seems to be inside and outside likewise.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/11/dzn_Picnic-by-Norisada-Maeda-Atelier-121.jpg)
By sitting on this site and indulging in the view on Tsukuba mountain, Picnic becomes a place, where you would want to have your picnic every day – inside or outside.