Japanese Minimalism Does it Again!

Megan Harris Megan Harris
革工房の音色, 風景のある家.LLC 風景のある家.LLC حديقة حديد
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Located in Fukuyama, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, this single-storey timber structure is a feast for the senses. With a site area of 339.59㎡ and a moderate total floor area of 86.53㎡ the design takes on an unusual, elongated form. Standing 24 metres long and  4.5 meters wide, an interesting plan and volume are established.

It is not just a residence, but also a leather craftsman workshop. Combining these formally disparate functions, it offers an alternative to how we divide up our spaces, as well as our private and work lives. Maybe that separation serves us, maybe it doesn't, but it's great to see people experimenting with new combinations and modes of living. 

The front facade

It's Japanese minimalism at it's finest: the simple box is capped with a gable roof. A typology that is synonymous with the home, the world over. Decoration is eschewed, material complexity avoided; a simple, all-white exterior appears seamless and stands as a beacon in the landscape. 

The only interruption to the sheer white facade is the recessed entry. It punctuates the form, simply and elegantly: no grand statement is required to define the entry. It shows less really can be more. 

The long face

Moving around to the homes other profile, we begin to appreciate the elongated nature of the form. It remains white, sparse and oh-so-minimal. 

A few windows are incised in the facade and a cut-out breaks up the roof, but other than that it's just all-white-everything. 

The interior

Stepping inside, the white remains a strong presence, but new materials enter the palette, too. A beautiful timber sheet lining covers the back wall in this image, timber structural elements are left exposed, and bright colours infuse the space. 

The stunning teal of the Scandinavian-esque arm chairs punctuates the minimal interior and the striped floor rug draws the eye through the linear space. Artworks rest against the base of the wall, instead of hanging from it: it's what all the cool kids are doing. The space is so in-vogue, yet also so elegant and timeless. 

Material beauty

The concrete floor is met with a concrete wall; offset by the timbers, it is striking composition. The ceiling is omitted, revealing the roof structure and borrowing the extra volume, this ensures the long space is not truncated. 

The furniture is minimal. The space is given over to the materials, and rightfully so! For more living space ideas, from the most minimal to the overtly kitsch, you're sure to find some interesting inspiration here!

Interstitial voids

Here, we see the space beneath the roof void. Creating an internal courtyard, it allows additional light into the interior. Unusually, the courtyard cannot be occupied: it is filled with water. 

However, the glass sliding doors can be opened, transforming the interior space and connecting in with the outdoors. 

One last look

Before we close the book on this wonderful home , let's take one last look at the interior. We can see the interesting atmosphere that is created by the interstitial void. Bringing the outside in, it breaks up the linear space and crafts interesting connection between the various space. What a wonderful home, inside and out – it's truly beautiful!

If you enjoyed your tour through this Japanese beauty, you may also like to take a look at A Korean Home Nestled in a Lush Lanscape.

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