The Concrete House with a Wooden Heart

Lily Cichanowicz Lily Cichanowicz
桑名の家, Nobuyoshi Hayashi Nobuyoshi Hayashi Modern living room
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Have you ever been told not to judge a person based on their outward appearance? This old adage happens to be great advice for appreciating architecture too, especially in the case of Nobuyoshi Hayashi’s recent project where beneath a cold and contemporary grey exterior hides the picture of a family home filled with hospitality and warmth. 

The combination of concrete and metallic details melds perfectly with the interior's many cream and wooden tones, yet the interior is unconventional in such a way that it manages to retain the essence of traditional Japanese style. This stark grey house demonstrates the way that edgy and post-modern can still be cosy and uplifting. Come on a tour with us as we explore what makes Hayashi's work so special.

Concealed exterior

Due to its bold geometric design, the façade of the grey concrete structure certainly gives off a secretive appearance and stands out from its neighbours. It must be hard for any passer-by not to let their imagination run wild as they look at this unusual edifice in comparison to the surrounding homes. With very few windows facing the street and the narrow door tucked back into the receding entrance, its hard not to assume that this house is hiding something inside. Entering the home, you can be assured that the interior is probably not what you were expecting.

Peering down at life below

As we head upstairs, we are met with a relaxed view of the cosy family room where a mother is sharing a moment with her young child. The space is surprisingly liveable, light and homely compared to what we might have expected from the cold exterior. With cream walls and charming wooden parquet flooring, the furnishings are simple and utilitarian, which exude an overall feeling of calmness and comfortability.

Contemporary meets convivial

The contemporary experimental design of the interior may not be all that surprising from our understanding of the outside. The unexpected is the contrast of the warm cream and wooden tones to those of the more industrial concrete façade. The inside of the home is undoubtedly charming. With the sight of the stairs we begin to understand that its layout is uniquely spread laterally, over multiple levels. Only in the details like the black metal bannister and the chains from which the lights hang are we reminded of the home’s post-modern façade. 

The family space

In the open air living and dining room, the double storey ceiling enlarges the space and allows for the entire area to be flooded with natural light, which penetrates into the home through the large horizontal windows above the external foldable doors. The windows are also necessary for the filtration of air throughout the house and together with the windows on the opposite wall, a natural passive air-conditioning system is achieved. The eclectic shelves give the room an added feel of authenticity and add to the spectrum of warm brown tones throughout. 

Open plan living

The main room of the first floor expands lengthwise with the kitchen incorporated on the side. The green chair and decorative pillow add a colour pop to the wooden interior and from this angle we can really see what wonders the sunlight does for illuminating the home. The different chairs placed around the dining table promotes an informal environment and helps to present the house as a family home. As we peer out the front windows, we are reminded how different the view is from the other side of the glass.

Ode to the traditional

It’s subtle, but the design of the clerestory windows and the doors leading out to the courtyard are reminiscent of the traditional Japanese style of design. The wide doors and simple symmetric arrangement demonstrate yet another way where traditional meets contemporary.

It must be lovely to start the morning bathed in the sunlight channelled through these expansive doors and windows.

Terracotta Courtyard

Lastly, the back of the house yields to an open courtyard. It is paved with reddish brown terracotta tiles, adding a final hue of brown to the exteriors overall look, whilst also complementing the colour of the light blue sky, above. Surrounded by high walls, allows the home to maintain its sense of mystery. It is likely, however that the sounds of joyous times spent together emanating from this courtyard makes it hard to keep this home’s warm heart a secret.

If you were intrigued by this take on Japanese architecture check out this Undulating Escher House.

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