y+M design office clads half of stylobate house with timber shingles in rural japan

y+M design office clads half of stylobate house with timber shingles in rural japan
photography by yohei sasakura

located in the countryside in nara, japan and just a few meters away from a paddy field, ‘house on stylobate’ by y+M design office is family home distinguished by its two styles of cladding. the spaces within are spread between two floors where the architects have combined traditional japanese aesthetics with contemporary elements. on the exterior, there is a stark and obvious contrast with the material choice, highlighting the differentiation between the two floors. meanwhile, extended, curving white walls form partitions to the outdoor gardens and nooks but at the same time, seemingly support the more boxy upper volume.

with a total floor area of 107 sqm, the ground level consists of a japanese-style tatami room, master bedroom, a private courtyard and bathroom. meanwhile, the communal spaces are based on the second level. on the exterior, the second level is composed as a series of five protruding house-shaped volumes, each in different sizes and wrapped in timber shingles. orientated to face different directions, together they join as a single entity to form a cluster of spaces including a sheltered balcony, the kitchen, living room and free space. throughout the residence, the designers stick to using timber furnishings and surfaces but have also experimented with materials to form interesting textures. simultaneously, the timber shingles are replicated on the interior walls where the partitions meet and overlap.

the distinctive cladding distinguishes the design from its traditional neighbors

close up of the shingle upper level and the stark white lower level with curving walls

interior

the japanese room

a small courtyard

the second level accommodates the communal living spaces

the open plan spaces formed inside the connected protruding volumes

the dark shingle cladding is seen inside as well

the house is surrounded by the japanese countryside

the spaces lit from within at night

diagram by y+m design office