Totonoeru ie

A Large Architectural Structure Pursuing Simplicity and Spacious Openings

With a focus on the landscape, the living room and second-floor private rooms are designed with large wooden openings that offer a panoramic view of the majestic mountains. It feels like a natural art gallery, with the views framed like paintings in wooden frames. The interior walls, finished with a mixture of white plaster and black charcoal to tone it down, reflect the outside scenery clearly. The spaciousness of the large living room, along with delicately crafted furniture in the kitchen and sanitary areas, is complemented by the use of the signature curved drum beams of Sobokuya as stairs that cross the wide living area. The entrance, featuring an earthen floor with a mud wall base and plastered finish, creates a mystical space that compels visitors to pause for a moment.

In addition to accommodating the diverse wishes of the client, including a calming tatami room with a god shelf, a bedroom, and a garage, the design also aligns with the architectural rationality of traditional construction methods, providing a rich spatial composition that balances both grandeur and delicacy.

This project is truly a product of the Sobokuya team’s collective effort, representing the fruits of in-house design and construction. The wooden lathing (kizuri) created to support the earthen walls and the shake (red cedar) roofing were meticulously installed, with each piece imbued with care.

Attention was also given to the garden design and soil improvement, including the incorporation of bamboo charcoal in the foundation and ensuring pathways for underground water flow.

Construction date
February 2024
Location
Nagasaka Town, Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture
Total floor area
First Floor: 211.99 m², Second Floor: 72.87 m²
Number of floors
Two-story building
Structure
Two-Story Wooden Structure with Board Roofing

A spacious entrance with earthen walls. The dirt floor, finished with traditional sanwadō (packed clay), offers a mystical comfort. The rounded door frame adds to the cave-like atmosphere.

Looking up from the entrance, light streams in from the windows, welcoming you along with the distinctive raw wood. The strong presence is balanced by the charming, smaller taiko-style beams.

A living room where you can experience the four seasons. With the changing expressions of spring, summer, autumn, and winter throughout the day, it creates a space that never becomes monotonous.

Generously utilising taiko-hari (drum-lattice construction), one of the symbols of Sobokuya is also used as a staircase. Instead of simply incorporating it as a pathway, its presence is emphasised by crossing it at the centre of the room.

A simple design with just a step board placed on wood. The solid wood and iron match well with Sobokuya’s architecture.

Wooden fixtures with large openings that can be fully opened. In front, you can enjoy the fresh greenery and autumn foliage of the garden and forest, and in winter, all the mountains can be seen through the gaps where the leaves have fallen. The snowy landscape add a layer of mystique.

A strong and water-resistant African Moabi was encountered by a miracle. A single board measuring 5 meters in length and 1 meter in width was carried to the site by eight carpenters. As it was polished, it transformed in appearance. The wood has a soft texture that feels like human skin, with a moist touch that gives it a quality that almost seems beyond wood. The result is a nurturing kitchen that warmly welcomes you.

Vanity
The countertop is made of cherry wood, showcasing a simple yet high-quality grain.

Simple vanity design. The storage space is made of birch wood.

Ironing board.
The top is made of walnut. The dynamic grain pattern is tastefully highlighted, with knots intentionally left intact. The natural branch legs also add presence. To facilitate ironing, the flowing lines of the wood’s edges have been shaped with a soft image.

A space where the private room and hall are unified. The second-floor hall, overlooking the entrance’s atrium, creates a special atmosphere.

2F slatted flooring. Each board is joined together. Sitting on the built-in single slab, you can gaze at the treetops from the height of a treehouse. Since the line of sight is at the same level as the beams, it creates a soothing space where my beloved cat can enjoy playing on a catwalk above the beams all day long.

Sitting on the Ryukyu tatami, I find my centre. It becomes a place for meditation, where I can pause my thoughts and reflect. (Ryukyu tatami is a type of traditional tatami mat originating from the Ryukyu Islands. Known for its unique texture and flexibility, it creates a calming atmosphere in any space)

The moment you open the door to the study, the sense of openness and the large openings are difficult to fully capture in photos. The combination of large L-shaped single boards ensures that desk work can be done efficiently.

Simplicity is the best.

To prevent the room from feeling cramped with shelves on both sides, we employed visual effects by narrowing the shelves as they extend toward the back, creating a sense of depth.

A simple one-room layout.
The large panel, shelves, and closet are built-in.

When you climb onto the tatami bed, you have a prime spot overlooking the beautiful mountains and lovely roofs.

A multipurpose storage space utilising the hallway.

The spacious garage features a earthen wall finish. The sliding door connecting the garage to the kitchen and sanitary areas is very convenient for transporting items.

The unique patterns of the entire house, such as the joinery and plastered walls, allow one to feel the traces of craftsmanship. This is the essence of handmade creation, where no two pieces are alike.