Two long, unassuming gable forms sit restfully in this garden landscape. In plan, they slip effortlessly past each other and are connected by a long passage, creating a visual journey rich in light, shade, openness and enclosure. A productive conversation over time between client and architect has generated a vocabulary that captures a mutual love of Japanese timber construction. Meticulous attention has been paid to every detail of this house, from the use of passive strategies through to the tiniest timber detail, and the result is an environment that is a joy to experience.