A Clean and Contemporary Countryside Home

Kayla Gulec Kayla Gulec
フランス漆喰のある家, 宇佐美建築設計室 宇佐美建築設計室 房子
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Japan is a country of tradition, modernity, and breathtaking architecture. When it comes to their architecture, Japan has evolved from their traditional construction of elevated wooden structures to what we would consider a much more modern, perhaps even Western influence. Today on homify, we're taking you back to this all too familiar country, where we've taken countless tours before. But this time around, we're checking out a beautiful home in the Japanese countryside.

With a total area of 239 square metres, this stylish and riveting home was completed by Usami Architects in May of 2014. Usami Architects made use of traditional Japanese design principals to successfully design a home for the modern day. This home is comprised of many typical Japanese design elements, such as small nooks, large open spaces, arched pathways, and curved ceilings. As a result, the home, in its entirety, creates an alternating relationship between inside space and nature.

The simple facade

When we look at the exterior of this home, we notice something peculiar right off the bat. The simple colours and design of the facade create an interesting balance between outside and inside. The utilization of open space is the main focal point of this structure. The relatively plain exterior masks the impressively open and modern space that lies beyond the entryway. But as soon as we see past the simple facade, we're able to see the sheer open space of the property. 

The enormous, open entryway we see indicates a feature where the outside and the inside world meet. The typical, traditional Japanese home places a lot of value on being able to distinguish between self and other – the public and private spheres. By creating this sort of threshold, the home becomes a passage from the chaotic outside world to the inner, more intimate space. 

An elusive threshold

As we travel around the home, we realize that there are more curious entryways than the one on the facade. A secondary, less formal entrance is located on the side of the house. The home implements various outdoor patios that offer space for congregation, but also remain completely separate from each other. The separation and difference in materials of the patios creates a contrast to heighten their differences and create new looks from different angles of the home. In lieu of one identifying and unifying outdoor space, a succession of areas with different features and functions set up an interesting framework for outdoor living. The designers of this home have placed great value on the negative space in between these elements.

Curvature and lines

Once inside the home, we see an interesting relationship between the curvature and lines of the interior. We are so used to seeing straight, linear boundaries between rooms and entryways that this use of spherical elements really jumps out at us. 

The curvature of the door frame, as well as the ceiling and select pieces of furniture all complement each other. The gradual curve of the ceiling imitates the arch of the door, and the roundness of the chairs help create a striking contrast when paired with the lines of the straight, square table. The room gives us the feeling of gentle confinement, as the curves seem to wrap us in the interior, and the natural timber and white, textured walls instill a calm atmosphere. 

A modern kitchen

As we travel farther inside this home, we are met with a very modern day kitchen setup. The first thing we notice is the overwhelming use of timber. The cupboards, the floors, and the sink space all utilize this natural wooden element to bring nature back into the mix. As one of the main components of the modern home, the use of stainless steel countertops and sink bring us back to this idea of the modern world, yet the abundant use of wood in this area keeps us separated from modernity and leave us with the feel of nature. In this area of the home, linear elements are utilized, creating a break in interior architecture, which allows for differences in interior design and functionality of the space. 

Bedroom inspired by tradition

We see the same striking contrast between curvature and lines in other areas of the home, as well, as we can see from this image of the bedroom. But this time, just the simple curve of the door frame offers us this contrast. Instead, we see mainly linear elements which exemplify Japanese traditional architecture.

We also see the quintessential traditional Japanese architectural design implemented in this room. Furnished with tatami floor mats and adorned with shoji sliding doors, this bedroom brings us back in Japanese history. The large window space allows for plenty of natural light to make its way inside, re-instilling the sense of the natural, the calm, and the serene back into the house.

One space

As we finish the tour, we are taking you back to the large entryway we saw from the exterior of the home, but this time, we are looking from the inside out. From this perspective, we are able to appreciate the fusion of space much more. We are able to see the seamless transition from the outside space to the inside space. The sliding doors of this entryway provide the perfect separation from the outside, but while they are open, it's as if the countryside and the home are one. The openness of the area provides the inhabitants of this home with a quiet, natural light filled area to relax and be one with nature without having to leave the property. 

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