Tei: A Home That Blends With Nature

Retirement Home Design by Masaaki Uemori and Kokutou Uemori Wins Silver A' Design Award

The designers' unique approach to this project was to create a structure that would allow the client to live comfortably while taking advantage of the rich environment. The house is not just a villa but a personal home where the client can pursue hobbies like reading in the specially designed 'reading deck', a half-outside space room with book storage.

The house, located in Kochi prefecture, Japan, was designed to seamlessly blend outdoor and indoor spaces, taking into account the warm climate and beautiful surroundings. The first floor LDK (Living, Dining, Kitchen) area gives a floating visual feeling, enhanced by an 'Engawa', a traditional Japanese architectural element that acts as a transition zone between the interior and exterior of the house.

Constructed with a focus on humidity control, the first story floor elevation was raised one meter above normal. The house is surrounded by naturally growing tall trees, adding to its charm. The fittings of the main rooms are designed for various partition styles, responding to use and air conditioning changes.

The house, constructed over a period of six months from November 2013 to April 2014, covers a total floor space of 122.55 m². The owner now enjoys the benefits of the house's rich environment, not only for reading but also for enjoying drinks while watching the sunset into the Pacific Ocean.

The design of Tei is a testament to the designers' ability to create a comfortable and enjoyable retirement life for the client, making the most of the hillside premises. The design was appreciated for its steady design approach, which resulted in a home that seamlessly blends with its environment.

The Silver A' Design Award, awarded to Tei, recognizes top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that illustrate outstanding expertise and innovation. These designs, admired for their strong technical characteristics and splendid artistic skill, showcase a remarkable level of excellence and introduce positive feelings, amazement, and wonder.