# Silver-painted ceilings illuminate Kyoto home by Tato Architects Innovative design maximizes natural light in a compact urban plot. - **Source:** [Architecture news and projects | Dezeen](https://brifing.si/source/50c21201-9cc6-48e0-8a7c-6ea605af10c3) - **Published:** 2026-08-27 - **Topic:** [Design & UX](https://brifing.si/c/design) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/31e8c496-cf69-4728-889b-1506d07ee544 ## Compact plot adaptation Tato Architects built a house on an overlooked narrow alley plot in Kyoto. The design preserved a mature tree on the site where the client's childhood home once stood. The simple, metal-clad gabled form efficiently utilizes the plot boundaries. The structure was rotated in plan to create four distinct garden spaces with different characters around its perimeter. ## Light wells and reflective surfaces Multiple strategies maximize natural light penetration throughout the interior. Silver-painted ceilings, an internal light well, and numerous windows bring light deep into the space. Ceilings just over 2 meters high were finished with subtly reflective silver paint. Above the central dining table, a lantern-like opening enhances daylight distribution. ## Geometric interplay Architect Yo Shimada explains how interior and exterior walls follow different geometric principles. While the exterior form is rotated, interior walls align with the city grid. The silver ceiling softens the transition between these two geometries. This design decision creates depth perception in the low-ceilinged continuous space. ## Feline-friendly details Special solutions were developed for the owners and their cat. A wooden door controls staircase access, limiting the cat's roaming area. Grey plaster covers the ground floor while the upper level is entirely wrapped in lauan plywood. This material extends to built-in furniture including desks and shelving. ## Material transition between floors A distinct material transition defines different levels. The ground floor adopts an industrial language while the upper floor features complete wood cladding. A central hall organizes the upper floor layout with bedrooms arranged around it. Skylights enhance natural illumination on this level. ## Contemporary interpretation of local architecture Tato Architects reinterprets traditional Japanese architectural elements with a modern approach. The project offers solutions specific to narrow urban plots while emphasizing natural light utilization. It serves as an example of how overlooked urban spaces can be revitalized through thoughtful design. ## Functional architectural details At the home's center, a void shaped like a miniature of the site outline was carved out. This detail provides vertical movement in the low-ceilinged continuous space. The exterior metal cladding contrasts with interior wood textures. Every design decision serves a functional purpose beyond aesthetics. ## Architecture's sensory impact The project offers an experience that questions spatial perception. Silver ceilings blur boundaries between interior and exterior geometries. Architect Shimada notes this design began as a practical height decision but became the phenomenon that holds the whole house together. The space's perception continuously shifts. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.dezeen.com/2026/08/27/tato-architects-house-in-shichiku-kyoto/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._