Located in Osaka, in a neighbourhood where older Japanese homes sit alongside newer developments to have arrived in the area, this family residence, House in Saidera, by Akio Ishikki Architects looks backwards, using elements of classic Japanese house building to shape its own quietly contemporary way of living. 

Designed for a family of five, the house draws on the familiar elements of traditional Japanese architecture to create a space that feels calming and considered. Embracing a pared-back approach, the two-storey home is built in wood into a simple gabled form.  Finished in charred cedar, the house sits comfortably among its neighbours, blending with the old while hardly standing out from the newer neighboring buildings. Inside, exposed timber framing defines the spaces, with structural columns and beams remaining visible rather than concealed. The result is an interior that feels mellowing and uncluttered, with the exposed wood providing the interior style. Floor heights are kept low, with just a single layer of cedar boards doubling as both the ceiling and the upstairs floor, this decision reflecting the architects’ aim of creating a sense of openness while saving on unnecessary materials. At the heart of the house, the kitchen and dining area form a shared center for daily life, with other rooms arranged compactly around it. 

Traditional elements such as tatami flooring, a small tokonoma and sliding partitions are woven into modern living areas, the use of the classic Japanese interior principles encouraging a spatial generosity, flexibility and quiet beauty in the home – qualities the architect believes can still resonate in even the most modern Japanese home.

Photography © Benjamin Hosking