'house in tensui' emerges as a multi-layered wooden volume amid terraced fields in japan

‘house in tensui’ by zeal architects 

Sited on a terraced mandarin orange field in the Japanese prefecture of Kumamoto, ‘House in Tensui’ is a one-story wooden residence completed by zeal architects. The house follows the shape of the surrounding fields and consists of multiple volumes of different sizes. One of the volumes includes a decked terrace with a spacious area, serving as both an outdoor living room and observatory, further connecting the surrounding environment to the owners’ daily life. ‘By determining the layout while considering the relationship with the road and neighboring land, we ensured the view from each room while maintaining privacy,‘ shares the team.

all images © zeal architects 

designing a home that gradually blends into its context

Material-wise, the team at zeal architects used Oguni cedar, a timber produced in Kumamoto Prefecture, for the finishing of the main outer walls, the ceiling that leads to the interior, and the deck. The resulting design exudes a familiar yet unapologetically modern aesthetic that gently complements the terraced landscape. ‘By using natural materials that change their expression over time, we are conscious that the appearance will gradually become at one with the context and blend in,’ notes the practice.

The indoor layout holds a space for family gatherings, placed in the center of the house, and an adjacent Japanese-style room to expand spatiality. Furthermore, by unifying the ceiling height and installing generous glazing to frame expansive views of the Japanese landscape, visual continuity is seamlessly ensured from the inside out and vice versa.
‘House in Tensui’ by zeal architects 

a wooden residence composed of multiple volumes

lining the outer walls with cedar wood 

light and airy interior design

unifying spaces through equal ceiling heights

living – dining area exuding visual continuity through wooden features 

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project info:

name: House in Tensui

location: Tamana City, Kumamoto Prefecture
, Japan 
total floor area: 114.5 sqm
completion date: 2022.6

architecture, design & photography: zeal architects
structure: KAWATA Tomonori Structural Engineers Co.,Ltd.
construction: Inaba Seizai Housing Co., Ltd.