Japanese living
An overview of projects, products and exclusive articles about Japanese living
Project • By NoMaDoS • Private Houses
Wooden Box House (木箱の家)
【Background】
This new residential project was planned for a couple in their 20s who are deeply knowledgeable in fields such as design and fashion. Having noticed our previous architectural works, they requested a spatial proposal with a simple design that would exceed the client's imagination. In response to their request, we treated the simple gabled volume as a single large box, arranging the necessary small rooms within it and configuring the layout so that all the remaining space functions as the living room. On the first floor, a raised platform (koagari / 小上がり) was created facing the living room, while on the second floor, structural floor level differences were introduced to bring a dynamic change to the expansiveness of the space.... More
Project • By NoMaDoS • Apartments
The Cloister Home
【Background】
This is a renovation project for a 44-year-old apartment. The owner is an enthusiast of weaving wooden basket bags. The owner's requests were to have an earthen floor space that could be used as a studio, to enjoy the views of the river and cityscape from the windows, and to optimize the living space compactly.
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To achieve this, we arranged the core living area in a box-like shape at an angle, with the bathroom, bed, closets etc. centralized in the middle. Gaps were left between the existing concrete walls and the core space. These gaps create a trapezoidal floor plan that allows the space to flexibly expand and contract, forming a continuous cloister wrapping around. This en... More
Project • By TAKESHI ISHIODORI ARCHITECTURE • Private Houses
House in Kina
This one-story wooden house was built for a family of four in Yomitan Village, located in the central part of the main island of Okinawa.Although it's common in Okinawa to build houses with reinforced concrete, the owner wanted a wooden house, not for cost reasons (in fact, wooden construction is more expensive than reinforced concrete in Okinawa). They wanted to create a house that would age with them and be part of the natural cycle of life, where everything eventually returns to the earth. Our design was based on positive and sustainable thinking, guided by the clients outlook on life.
Studio Marsh - Norio Numaguchi
The house is situated in a residential area called Kina, Yomitan Village, which was the location of the Ryukyu dynast... More
News • News • 9 Mar 2021
Latvian wellness resort keeps tradition alive with a contemporary architectural concept
Situated in the richly forested Gauja National Park in Latvia, the Ziedlejas Latvian nature spa and wellness resort by Open AD is informed by local customs, services and materials, while incorporating modern standards to appeal to a wider audience.
Alvis Rozenbergs
The wellness resort includes three new corten steel and glass cabins alongside two renovated sauna buildings. Further plans include a third sauna along with additional cabins and an events space.
Alvis Rozenbergs
The two current sauna buildings remain honest to the tradition of Latvian sauna and the cleansing of the body, mind and soul. The traditional saunas however have been enhanced by the architects in terms of aesthetics and functionality. The Glass Sauna, for ex... More