A Japanese steel frame house in Tamatsukuri, Osaka, has received a minimalist facelift, courtesy of Reiichi Ikeda Design. The single family Japanese house's redesign not only affords it a striking new façade – sharp and modern in light grey hues – but also revamps the space inside, transforming the interior design into an ode to simplicity and minimalist architecture.
Located in a vibrant part of town, on a wide street, the existing structure had a number of advantages and disadvantages to it. Among the advantages was the ample natural light this plot gets, an element the architects made the most of by installing a large, double-glazed picture window that exploits the warm light from the north. Among the disadvantages was the building quality – the house did not have adequate insulation to ensure the residents get stable temperature inside, which led to excessive heating and sustainability issues. The team tackled this by adding insulation and blocking some poorly placed windows (whose role was replaced by the aforementioned new large opening).
Spanning some 130 sq m and three floors, the residence features the entrance hall, a bathroom and a study on the ground level; an open-plan living space with a terrace on the first floor; and two bedrooms and storage space on the second floor. A roof terrace tops the structure, offering long views of the Osaka cityscape and Japanese architecture.
Materiality inside is orchestrated by a play of soft and hard surfaces. Concrete is balanced by timber joinery in natural wood colours and ethereal white semi-transparent curtains (by Fabricscape). Carefully chosen pieces of design-led furniture and artworks create moments of enjoyment and colour pops throughout the interior. This approach resonates with the signature style of the design practice of Reiichi Ikeda, which often balances clean lines and surfaces with playful details and a rich palette of textures.
Soft colours compose an otherwise serene, minimalist interior – bringing a sense of calm in the bustling city centre of Osaka, and creating a safe haven for the residents. Meanwhile, the relatively low, geometric composition of this Japanese steel frame house feels contemporary but also at home in its residential street.
INFORMATION
reiichiikeda.com
-
The bespoke Jaguar E-Type GTO melds elements from every era of the classic sports carECD Automotive Design’s one-off commission caters to a client who wanted to combine the greatest hits of Jaguar’s E-Type along with modern conveniences and more power
-
Casa Sanlorenzo debuts in Venice as a new hub for contemporary artThe luxury yachting leader unveils a stunning new space in a palazzo restored by Piero Lissoni – where art, innovation, and sustainability come together
-
Once vacant, London's grand department stores are getting a new lease on lifeThanks to imaginative redevelopment, these historic landmarks are being rebonr as residences, offices, gyms and restaurants. Here's what's behind the trend
-
A Karuizawa house is a soothing, work-from-home retreat in JapanTakeshi Hirobe Architects play with scale and space, creating a tranquil residence in which to live and work
-
Behind a contemporary veil, this Kyoto house has tradition at its coreDesigned by Apollo Architects & Associates, a Kyoto house in Uji City is split into a series of courtyards, adding a sense of wellbeing to its residential environment
-
Ten contemporary homes that are pushing the boundaries of architectureA new book detailing 59 visually intriguing and technologically impressive contemporary houses shines a light on how architecture is evolving
-
The Kumagaya House in Saitama is a modest family home subdivided by a soaring interiorThis Kumagaya House is a domestic puzzle box taking the art of the Japanese house to another level as it intersects a minimal interior with exterior spaces, balconies and walkways
-
Remembering Alexandros Tombazis (1939-2024), and the Metabolist architecture of this 1970s eco-pioneerBack in September 2010 (W*138), we explored the legacy and history of Greek architect Alexandros Tombazis, who this month celebrates his 80th birthday.
-
Sun-drenched Los Angeles houses: modernism to minimalismFrom modernist residences to riveting renovations and new-build contemporary homes, we tour some of the finest Los Angeles houses under the Californian sun
-
Modern Japanese houses inspiring minimalism and avant-garde livingWe tour the best Japanese architecture and modern Japanese houses designed by international and local architects that open up possibilities for all types of lifestyle, from minimalist to communal in Japanese architecture.
-
An Aoyama House exemplifies a synergetic architect and client relationshipA client’s faith in his architect pays dividends in Aoyama House; a light-filled, effortlessly elegant Tokyo home
