The Illusion of Level: Detailing for Water in “Flat” Architecture

Balcony House / Ryo Matsui Architects. Image Courtesy of Ryo Matsui Architects IncWe walk on "flat" ground every day and rarely think twice—but how flat is it, really? In the city, curbs are chamfered, sidewalks pitch toward grates, and roadways are crowned to shed water into shallow gutters. In suburbs and on unpaved paths, irregular terrain is the norm. Inside buildings, by contrast, we pursue near-perfect horizontality—structural frames, slabs, and finishes are all disciplined to