a modern beach house with traditional proportions
warm timber finishes and a soaring attic space are just two of the features of this japanese beach house by architect ryosuke ono. occupying a beachfront site in a village in the southern part of amami oshima island, the two story villa is designed to consider the surrounding landscape and to harmonize with the island’s traditional architecture.
‘we aimed for an architecture that goes beyond mere nostalgia and whispers to the genes of the island,’ says ono.
images by toshihisa ishii
designed for beach living
the villa exterior is articulated by a large pyramid hip roof and generous eaves, which provide shade from the hot sun. there’s also a grey fence made from unpainted cedar boards and concrete pillars that surrounds the site.
exposed wood dominates the interiors to create a unified yet cozy family space. the first floor contains the kitchen and dining space, which features concrete flooring for ‘rough living and usage, such as playing in the sea and carrying sand attached to your body, or bringing in caught fish. it is a space for living,’ explains the architect. the first floor also hosts a living space and bedroom accommodation.
upstairs, under the roof, is a huge attic space with a balcony looking out towards the sea. this space is designed as a place for leisure, where the children run around, or where the family can gather and just listen to the sound of lapping waves without doing anything.
the house is surrounded by an unpainted cedar fence
the square roof shape was chosen for both stability thanks to the truss structure and wind pressure resistance by reducing the found area. ‘there are many islanders who feel nostalgic for the proportions created by this spatial composition’, continues ono.
the top is equipped with mechanical ventilation equipment for heat exhaust and decorative wooden screens to improve the indoor environment. in addition, the floor behind the hut is slatted, and by drawing in the natural wind and the light from the top light to the first floor, the entire space becomes a comfortable environment.
the villa, which goes uninhabited for long periods, is designed to be both closed for security. paradoxically, ono has also tried to create a residence that blends into village life and the surrounding beach landscape.
the main entrance
exposed wood dominates the interior
the soaring attic space
the upper level is a space to gather and relax
the house at night











project info:
location: setouchi-cho, oshima-gun, kagoshima, japan
architecture: ryosuke ono architectural design office
construction management: minoru aoi / aoi home
structural design: enshukan / enshu structural design
landscaping design: tomohiro urata / urata garden design office
sky window decoration: junichi tozono / koshira eru
structure / scale: timber / two story
site area: 218.50 sqm
building area: 73.71 sqm
total floor area area: 104.34 sqm
completion: october 2020
photography: toshihisa ishii