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The shell is closed to the west and north elevations and open to the east and south elevations—an arrangement that responds to the location and orientation of the house in the forest.
The shell is closed to the west and north elevations and open to the east and south elevations—an arrangement that responds to the location and orientation of the house in the forest.
The first floor is constructed primarily from sawara cypress, a species of wood native to central Japan this is cultivated for its high-quality timber.
The first floor is constructed primarily from sawara cypress, a species of wood native to central Japan this is cultivated for its high-quality timber.
Influenced by both Benedictine monasteries and Japanese residences, award-winning British architect John Pawson created The Life House – a minimalist holiday rental home in Wales with a pure and uncluttered ambience that encourages a state of quietude and contemplation.
Influenced by both Benedictine monasteries and Japanese residences, award-winning British architect John Pawson created The Life House – a minimalist holiday rental home in Wales with a pure and uncluttered ambience that encourages a state of quietude and contemplation.
Inspired by modern Japanese minimalism, Hong Kong practice JAAK demolished the walls of this two-bedroom apartment and remodelled it into a studio with an
Inspired by modern Japanese minimalism, Hong Kong practice JAAK demolished the walls of this two-bedroom apartment and remodelled it into a studio with an
Inspired by modern Japanese minimalism, Hong Kong practice JAAK demolished the walls of this two-bedroom apartment and remodelled it into a studio with an
Inspired by modern Japanese minimalism, Hong Kong practice JAAK demolished the walls of this two-bedroom apartment and remodelled it into a studio with an
Architect Charlie Lazor designed this peaceful, lakeside prefab in Ontario, Canada, with a Japanese-style bathroom clad in richly stained teak with a matching tub and sink by Bath in Wood.
Architect Charlie Lazor designed this peaceful, lakeside prefab in Ontario, Canada, with a Japanese-style bathroom clad in richly stained teak with a matching tub and sink by Bath in Wood.
Fashion designer Josie and her husband Ken Natori are big fans of traditional Japanese architecture, so when Brooklyn-based practice Tsao & McKown Architects designed their home in Pound Ridge, New York, they used a heavy, exposed-timber structure, and included Japanese-style gardens and landscaping.
Fashion designer Josie and her husband Ken Natori are big fans of traditional Japanese architecture, so when Brooklyn-based practice Tsao & McKown Architects designed their home in Pound Ridge, New York, they used a heavy, exposed-timber structure, and included Japanese-style gardens and landscaping.
For this 780-square-foot apartment Hong Kong apartment, local practice MNB Design Studio used plywood, smart storage solutions, and tapped into the principles of origami to create a highly structured, minimalist home.
For this 780-square-foot apartment Hong Kong apartment, local practice MNB Design Studio used plywood, smart storage solutions, and tapped into the principles of origami to create a highly structured, minimalist home.
Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and built in 1955, the Louis Penfield House is a 1,730-square-foot, residence in Lake County, Ohio, that has details like ribbon windows, “goutenjou” coffered ceilings, and a floating wooden staircase inspired by Japanese minimalism.
Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and built in 1955, the Louis Penfield House is a 1,730-square-foot, residence in Lake County, Ohio, that has details like ribbon windows, “goutenjou” coffered ceilings, and a floating wooden staircase inspired by Japanese minimalism.
Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and built in 1955, the Louis Penfield House is a 1,730-square-foot, residence in Lake County, Ohio, that has details like ribbon windows, “goutenjou” coffered ceilings, and a floating wooden staircase inspired by Japanese minimalism.
Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and built in 1955, the Louis Penfield House is a 1,730-square-foot, residence in Lake County, Ohio, that has details like ribbon windows, “goutenjou” coffered ceilings, and a floating wooden staircase inspired by Japanese minimalism.
When redesigning “Madmen” actor Vincent Kartheiser’s Hollywood cabin, architect Funn Roberts installed custom shoji-style screens of to conceal the closet and provide privacy for the adjacent shower and soaking tub.
When redesigning “Madmen” actor Vincent Kartheiser’s Hollywood cabin, architect Funn Roberts installed custom shoji-style screens of to conceal the closet and provide privacy for the adjacent shower and soaking tub.
When redesigning “Madmen” actor Vincent Kartheiser’s Hollywood cabin, architect Funn Roberts installed custom shoji-style screens of to conceal the closet and provide privacy for the adjacent shower and soaking tub.
When redesigning “Madmen” actor Vincent Kartheiser’s Hollywood cabin, architect Funn Roberts installed custom shoji-style screens of to conceal the closet and provide privacy for the adjacent shower and soaking tub.
This Southern Californian home by architect Sebastian Mariscal has a wabi-sabi spirit, and is built with shou sugi ban timber, has a koi pond, wand a protective overhang, and a tertiary space known in in traditional Japanese homes as the
This Southern Californian home by architect Sebastian Mariscal has a wabi-sabi spirit, and is built with shou sugi ban timber, has a koi pond, wand a protective overhang, and a tertiary space known in in traditional Japanese homes as the
This Southern Californian home by architect Sebastian Mariscal has a wabi-sabi spirit, and is built with shou sugi ban timber, has a koi pond, wand a protective overhang, and a tertiary space known in in traditional Japanese homes as the
This Southern Californian home by architect Sebastian Mariscal has a wabi-sabi spirit, and is built with shou sugi ban timber, has a koi pond, wand a protective overhang, and a tertiary space known in in traditional Japanese homes as the
Playing with a balance between light and heavy elements, the dining table is “dimensioned like the branches of a tree—making it appear paper-thin from some angles and more robust where it needs to be.”
Playing with a balance between light and heavy elements, the dining table is “dimensioned like the branches of a tree—making it appear paper-thin from some angles and more robust where it needs to be.”
A negative space in this table’s joinery allows light to shine through.
A negative space in this table’s joinery allows light to shine through.
Repetitive patterns create a soothing sensation, with staircases, rails, and wall panels mimicking elements of the courtyard. This architectural approach is also echoed in the furniture pieces.
Repetitive patterns create a soothing sensation, with staircases, rails, and wall panels mimicking elements of the courtyard. This architectural approach is also echoed in the furniture pieces.
The Kinuta A-DT01 dining table was inspired by “the crude beauty and roughness of the demolished Kinuta apartment interiors prior to their restoration.” The structure of the table is meant to reflect the apartments’ geometric design.
The Kinuta A-DT01 dining table was inspired by “the crude beauty and roughness of the demolished Kinuta apartment interiors prior to their restoration.” The structure of the table is meant to reflect the apartments’ geometric design.
All of the furniture and bespoke elements in the apartments reference the connected courtyard—in their design language as well as through their material composition.
All of the furniture and bespoke elements in the apartments reference the connected courtyard—in their design language as well as through their material composition.
An Ingo Maurer Flotation light hangs over the Keiji Ashizawa-designed kitchen table, which is lined with Carl Hansen chairs.
An Ingo Maurer Flotation light hangs over the Keiji Ashizawa-designed kitchen table, which is lined with Carl Hansen chairs.
The oversized glass sliding doors open up wide to connect the open-plan second floor with the intimate patio space.
The oversized glass sliding doors open up wide to connect the open-plan second floor with the intimate patio space.
An oversized sectional in the living room provides the perfect place for the whole family to kick back during movie nights. “The clients fought to have a big Italian couch,” Ashizawa laughs. “I told them, ‘okay, but I get to choose the color.’” The soothing grey Minotti was the compromise.
An oversized sectional in the living room provides the perfect place for the whole family to kick back during movie nights. “The clients fought to have a big Italian couch,” Ashizawa laughs. “I told them, ‘okay, but I get to choose the color.’” The soothing grey Minotti was the compromise.
The hinoki is left in its natural state save for a transparent natural wax seal that allows the wood’s natural fragrance to come through. The floors, ceilings, and walls are all built of hinoki, including the handrails and the slatted doors.
The hinoki is left in its natural state save for a transparent natural wax seal that allows the wood’s natural fragrance to come through. The floors, ceilings, and walls are all built of hinoki, including the handrails and the slatted doors.
"The husband preferred hinoki for its calm, plain grain, and bright color," explains the architect. "I agreed not only because of its appearance, but also because of its functionality. Hinoki is one of the lightest timbers and has great heat insulation properties. It is also very soft and comfortable to walk on barefoot ."
"The husband preferred hinoki for its calm, plain grain, and bright color," explains the architect. "I agreed not only because of its appearance, but also because of its functionality. Hinoki is one of the lightest timbers and has great heat insulation properties. It is also very soft and comfortable to walk on barefoot ."
Over time as the tree grows taller, the walkway next to the tatami room will feel like a veranda or balcony with a garden view.
Over time as the tree grows taller, the walkway next to the tatami room will feel like a veranda or balcony with a garden view.
Infused with traditional materials and aesthetics, this open-plan home in Japan strengthens the bond a young family has to nature and to each other.
Infused with traditional materials and aesthetics, this open-plan home in Japan strengthens the bond a young family has to nature and to each other.
The view from the cave-like nook towards the courtyard.
The view from the cave-like nook towards the courtyard.
The white plaster inside the home signals a continuation of the outdoor facade. The cave-like nook was inspired by the fireplace in Swedish architect Erik Gunnar Asplund's summer house.
The white plaster inside the home signals a continuation of the outdoor facade. The cave-like nook was inspired by the fireplace in Swedish architect Erik Gunnar Asplund's summer house.
Teak is used extensively throughout the home—from the flooring to the kitchen cabinetry. The dining chairs and table are from Sakura Shop.
Teak is used extensively throughout the home—from the flooring to the kitchen cabinetry. The dining chairs and table are from Sakura Shop.
“Although the LDK (living room, dining room, kitchen) faces east, it is bathed in light reflected off the hill in the afternoon,” say the architects. “With the absence of beams and sealing strips, the rafter seems to protrude from the white structural wall, making the LDK seem like a semi-outdoor veranda. The living room has become part of the garden, where you can naturally engage with the children playing or sprawling on the slope of the hill.”
“Although the LDK (living room, dining room, kitchen) faces east, it is bathed in light reflected off the hill in the afternoon,” say the architects. “With the absence of beams and sealing strips, the rafter seems to protrude from the white structural wall, making the LDK seem like a semi-outdoor veranda. The living room has become part of the garden, where you can naturally engage with the children playing or sprawling on the slope of the hill.”
The bathroom has large format tile from Leonardo Ceramica, an Italian compant, a Duravit tub, and brushed brass faucets from Crosswater London.
The bathroom has large format tile from Leonardo Ceramica, an Italian compant, a Duravit tub, and brushed brass faucets from Crosswater London.
In the bedroom, the windows received the same Doug fir detailing. The floors are plywood with a clear finish.
In the bedroom, the windows received the same Doug fir detailing. The floors are plywood with a clear finish.
In the kitchen, the cabinet boxes are Ikea, fitted with sawn-cut natural oak fronts by Reform, specifically the Surface line from Norm Architects. The matching oak counter is by Portland studio MADE. The pendants are from Schoolhouse Electric, and the counter stools from Design Within Reach.
In the kitchen, the cabinet boxes are Ikea, fitted with sawn-cut natural oak fronts by Reform, specifically the Surface line from Norm Architects. The matching oak counter is by Portland studio MADE. The pendants are from Schoolhouse Electric, and the counter stools from Design Within Reach.
“There were a lot of discussions about the color white,” says Anna, in order to pick the right shade that would balance well with the wood and concrete tones. Their pick is Atrium White by Benjamin Moore.
“There were a lot of discussions about the color white,” says Anna, in order to pick the right shade that would balance well with the wood and concrete tones. Their pick is Atrium White by Benjamin Moore.

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