Blending Modern Design with Traditional Elements
In the serene town of Mibu, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan, Tato Architects has masterfully crafted a 108-square-meter home marrying charred cedar plywood exteriors with warm plywood interiors. Nestled in the backyard of a family estate, this innovative design accommodates a couple and their three children.
Designing Balance: Enclosure Meets Openness with Charred Cedar Plywood
Tato Architects, based in Kobe, envisioned a space that harmonizes “enclosure and openness,” catering to the site’s need to allow access to an existing garage and workshop. This vision materializes in the house’s layout; the first floor cantilevers on one side while the ground floor dips 500 millimeters into the earth, topped by a lush sloped green roof.
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Founder Yo Shimada describes the concept as inspired by Dutch architect Aldo van Eyck’s ‘in-between’ spaces, where enclosure and openness coexist. The design aims to preserve the natural flow of the yard, sinking the living area into the earth to create a seamless integration between structure and landscape, utilizing charred wood as a central element.
Innovative Interior Spaces
Entering beneath the overhang of the first floor, you step into an inviting area with a cloakroom and bathroom, descending into a sunken living, dining, and kitchen space. Full-height windows on the west side blur the lines between indoors and out, offering vistas of the nearby workshop featuring charred surfaces.
A blend of timber and green-painted steel staircases ascends to the first floor, where bedrooms flank a loft-like multifunctional space. The interior’s line of sight, combined with lauan plywood finishes, creates a canvas that ‘records use and ages gracefully,’ according to Shimada. These exterior elements complement the finishes perfectly.
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Seamlessly Unified Levels
From the living room, the garden unfolds almost at eye level, allowing a shared visual connection between indoor and outdoor activities. The upper floor features nest-like rooms, including three children’s bedrooms and a bedroom, interlinked by two staircases and a loft that functions as a desk or sleeping area.
A Nod to Local Craftsmanship
Externally, House in Mibu features charred cedar planks and a corrugated metal roof, echoing the traditional aesthetic of the workshop. This strategic use of timber materials is a testament to Tato Architects’ commitment to creating open, functional, and aesthetically integrated environments. This approach is further exemplified in their other Japanese projects, merging artful design with everyday living.
Source: dezeen.com
Frequently asked questions
What materials are used in the Mibu home design?
The home features charred cedar plywood exteriors and warm plywood interiors. Timber and green-painted steel are also used for staircases, and charred cedar is a central element of the design.
How does Tato Architects’ design balance enclosure and openness?
The design balances enclosure and openness by having the first floor cantilevered on one side and the ground floor dipped 500 millimeters into the earth. Full-height windows on the west side blur the line between indoor and outdoor spaces.
What inspired the house’s design concept?
The design concept is inspired by Dutch architect Aldo van Eyck’s ‘in-between’ spaces, aiming for a seamless integration between structure and landscape by preserving the natural flow of the yard.