House in Morimachi: A Harmonious Blend of Tradition and Innovation

Architect Toshiaki Tanaka's Award-Winning Design Marries Japanese Tradition with Modern Aesthetics

The inspiration for the House in Morimachi came from the desire to create a space that values both the building and its exterior environment. The design reflects the abundant changes of nature through the seasons, achieved by reinterpreting traditional Japanese spatial elements and decorations. The result is a house that provides a unique view from each room and a sense of intimate continuity with the exterior.

What sets the House in Morimachi apart is its minimalistic form, clad in metal sheets and kept low to respect the surrounding scenery. The house employs the module of traditional Japanese wooden houses in its standardisation of dimensions. The use of wood sliding doors enhances the depth and continuity of the interior space, while the garden, designed with water scenery and gently undulating ground surfaces, provides unique views for each room facing south.

The realization of this design was made possible through the use of traditional techniques by skilled carpenters and plasterers. The aim was to create a space with a 'comfortable sense of tension', achieved through high-precision processing, construction, and finishing of wood materials. The project, which started in September 2013 in Oita City, Japan, and completed in September 2015, is a testament to the meticulous attention to detail and dedication to quality.

The technical specifications of the House in Morimachi are a testament to the dedication to quality. The selection of fine tree species, the processing of raw teak wood stored for 30 years, and the use of traditional plaster techniques for the interior walls are all examples of the meticulous attention to detail that went into the project. The same material is used for the furniture, fixtures, and the interior finishing, creating a harmonious and unified aesthetic.

The House in Morimachi is not just a house, but a space that enhances and enriches daily life. The design draws on the intrinsic character of Japanese wooden architecture, achieved with the skillful carpenters. The client's deep understanding of art and music, and aspiration to enhance and enjoy daily life in such space, is reflected in the design.

The House in Morimachi is a testament to the power of design to create spaces that are not just functional, but also beautiful and inspiring. The design, which was awarded Silver in A' Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award in 2020, is a testament to the creativity and innovation that can be achieved when tradition and modernity are brought together in harmony.