With the client’s budget constraints in mind, Tanabe and his team envisioned Pettanco House as a modern, open space with low ceilings and simple, minimalist detailing. The house’s many wooden elements feature locally grown species, such as the Japanese Larch used for the structural frame.
Take an interactive tour of Pettanco House, Japan
The two storey construction was calculated using the Japanese module of ken - this is a commonly used unit in Japanese architecture (1 Ken corresponds to 1.82m).
The multi-functional space covers many needs. It is a practical and spacious family home, with two bedrooms and a bathroom on the ground level at the rear of the property. It is also a workshop, with studio space located above, on the first floor.
At the same time, the front portion of the ground level is home to an exhibition space, showcasing the owner’s fine abilities in carpentry; this shares a kitchen and living area with the private family part. The overall stucture is served by two separate entrances, one at the south side of the property, used mostly for clients, and another on the west side, for the family members.
The structure’s top floor, sitting under the gabled roof, features a large dormer window that floods the workspace with fresh air and light. Situated directly beneath it, at the heart of the property, is the house’s wood burning stove, providing a cost-efficient and sustainable solution for heating the large, open-plan structure.
