Traditional Japanese House in Modern Style

Foster + Partners was commissioned to create a main house and a guesthouse for a client’s site on a dramatic stretch of volcanic coastline facing Sagami Bay, in Kawana, Japan. The main house is elevated on a platform so that its living areas have uninterrupted views of the water. The project was dubbed as “The Kawana House“, a fusion of the Japanese love of harmony and respect for nature and the Western architecture of steel and glass. It is exploration of traditional Japanese architecture in a modern context.

Full-height glazed sliding doors line the perimeter, allowing the living spaces to open out on to adjoining terraces, thus eroding divisions between inside and out. The surrounding landscape combines new elements with existing features. Mature trees line the cliff top, while newly planted camphor trees provide privacy from the road. Stone lanterns, some dating from the eighth century, are positioned around the house and a small teahouse of the late Edo period, brought from Shimane prefecture, completes the overall composition.

modern japanese traditional house 1

modern japanese traditional house 2

modern japanese traditional house interior

modern japanese traditional house interior 2

modern japanese traditional house eksterior

gallery modern japanese traditional house

japanese traditional house design in modern style

Vandeventer + Carlander Architects

This house is a result of story cabin remodeling designed by Vandeventer + Carlander Architects in Vashon Island, Washington, USA. Vashon is a census-designated place (CDP)which covers an island alternately called Vashon Island or Vashon-Maury Island, the largest island in Puget Sound south of Admiralty Inlet.

Some additional floor area is needed to recognize. The idea developed to insert a wood box resting on the existing floor and cantilever over the existing basement walls, thus not affecting the existing drain field. The wooden box contains master bedroom, bath and kitchen. The exterior form and materials of the box are continued to the interior, while clerestory windows separate the box from the new shed roof above. Thermally the broken aluminum curtain walls is used for the extensive glazing of the main floor living spaces. An existing masonry fireplace and wall on the north side of the cabin are the only elements preserved at this floor from the existing cabin. Large sliding doors open onto a rebuilt wood deck to the west and allow for easy movement from the interior for entertaining. The daylight basement has been developed into two bedroom, bath and TV area.

Vashon Island Cabin

Wooden Beach Home Design

Wooden Beach House Design

Vashon Island Cabin Kitchen Interior

Vashon Island Cabin Interior

Vashon Island Cabin Interior Design

Vashon Island Cabin Entrance

Vashon Island Cabin Bedroom Interior

Natural Residence House Design

Fairhaven Residence is a 3800 square feet home that consist of the collection of simple geometric boxes. The boxes are oriented and open to hills and views that surround the house. The rooms and views in it reveal themselves in a alternating fashion, like sheltered groves and open vistas during the walk in the woods. The entry, living and dining areas feature exposed steel and wood structure and polished concrete floors that flow out to the landscape. A “shadow” garden at the heart of the house affords glimpses of bamboo, water and light from nearly every room, while the upper floor is turned slightly to capture even more light and views.

Natural Residence House Design

Fairhaven Residence is a 3800 square feet home that consist of the collection of simple geometric boxes. The boxes are oriented and open to hills and views that surround the house. The rooms and views in it reveal themselves in a alternating fashion, like sheltered groves and open vistas during the walk in the woods. The entry, living and dining areas feature exposed steel and wood structure and polished concrete floors that flow out to the landscape. A “shadow” garden at the heart of the house affords glimpses of bamboo, water and light from nearly every room, while the upper floor is turned slightly to capture even more light and views.