In the scenic Tochigi Prefecture, Tato Architects has crafted an innovative residence clad in yakisugi, a two-story timber home designed for a family of five. Nestled behind the family’s main home in Mibu, this striking structure integrates harmoniously with its traditional surroundings. The living area intriguingly sinks 500 millimeters into the ground, while a planted roof seamlessly extends the garden across the dwelling.
Dynamic Design Meets Practical Functionality in an Innovative Residence
In an exceptional design twist, architects rotated the building to align with existing traffic paths, maintaining the garden’s openness. This strategic rotation not only preserves the utility of a rustic barn, still in use for parking and work, but also creates distinct overhanging and recessed spaces around the structure.
The living room opens generously into the garden and is partially submerged, offering eye-level views of the surrounding greenery from its sunken position. Meanwhile, the upper floor presents cozy, nest-like rooms linked by dual staircases and elevated lofts performing dual roles as desks and sleeping quarters, showcasing a unique timber house design.
For another example of architectural innovation in traditional settings, explore how Mumbai apartment blends water aesthetics with its environment.
Innovative Materials and Architectural Harmony
The residence connects interior and exterior spaces through its unique use of materials. Employing charred cedar or yakisugi for the exterior, the home boasts a rich, textured facade contrasted by a sleek, corrugated galvanized steel roof. Inside, lauan plywood pairs with troweled mortar floors, offering durability and aesthetic warmth, epitomizing traditional Japanese architecture.
The roof serves as a transitional element, reflecting Aldo van Eyck’s concepts by blending enclosure with openness. From within, it manifests as a protective ceiling, while externally, it mimics the adjacent lawn, watered by an existing well, underscoring a profound synergy between architecture and nature.
Sources & Links
Source: designboom.com
Frequently asked questions
What material is used for the home’s exterior?
The home is clad in yakisugi, a charred cedar, giving it a rich and textured facade.
How does the home’s roof integrate with its surroundings?
The planted roof extends the garden across the dwelling, and it mimics the adjacent lawn, underscoring synergy between architecture and nature.
How is the living room designed uniquely?
The living room is partially submerged 500 millimeters into the ground, offering eye-level views of the surrounding greenery.