Kobe-based Tato Architects has created the House in Mibu, a striking 108-square-metre family home situated within a residential setting in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. This project navigates complex requirements, accommodating a family of five while maintaining access to an existing garage and workshop. Rather than resisting the constraints, Tato Architects embraced them, allowing the surroundings to inform the design.
Balancing Enclosure and Openness in a Garden Retreat
The architectural design focuses on the harmony between enclosure and openness in this garden retreat. The sunken ground floor, positioned 500 millimetres below grade, features a sloped green roof that integrates the home with the earth. The first floor cantilevers outward to provide a sheltered area below, achieving a visually striking asymmetry. Full-height windows on the lower level draw in light and create a visual connection with the nearby workshop.
Material and Aesthetic Choices
Externally, charred cedar clads the house, paying homage to the traditional yakisugi technique and harmonizing with the aesthetic of the adjacent workshop. A corrugated metal roof completes the exterior, allowing the cedar home design to blend into its environment. Inside, warm plywood finishes contrast the dark exterior, bringing a welcoming amber glow, exemplifying elements of Japanese architecture.
For more on charred cedar’s aesthetic appeal, explore Vermont’s Milo House blending into nature for sustainable and design insights.
Two staircases — one made of timber and the other of green-painted steel — rise through a distinct void, connecting the sunken ground level to upper bedrooms flanking a loft-like space. This adaptable area can serve as a study or guest room, adding to the home’s versatile design.
Architectural Restraint and Inventiveness
Tato Architects’ design of the dwelling showcases effective restraint. Each element, from the charred exterior to the green roof, is carefully chosen to address specific needs. This project exemplifies the studio’s ability to innovate within limited space, proving once again that constraints can fuel creativity.
Source: yankodesign.com
Frequently asked questions
What inspired the design of House in Mibu?
The design of House in Mibu was inspired by the desire to embrace the existing constraints of the site, such as maintaining access to an existing garage and workshop, and allowing the surroundings to inform the architectural approach.
How does the green roof integrate with the home?
The sunken ground floor of the house features a sloped green roof positioned 500 millimetres below grade, which integrates the home with the earth, enhancing the overall design by providing a natural element.
What materials are used in the home’s exterior?
The house is clad in charred cedar, honoring the traditional yakisugi technique and complementing the aesthetic of the adjacent workshop. A corrugated metal roof completes the exterior, allowing it to blend into its surroundings.