House with Japanese Kura: A Harmonious Fusion of Tradition and Contemporary Elegance

Architecture and Interior Design by RON DESIGN Articious Co., Ltd.
FF&E by Hiromi Hiroshima

Surrounded by tranquil Japanese gardens, this luxurious residence combines traditional Japanese craftsmanship and modern design. At the center of the property is a historic Kura, a traditional treasure house steeped in history and symbolism, serving as a testament to the family's heritage. The owners, whose family has been in the international shipping business for generations, have carefully preserved this ancestral legacy.

In the garden, there is a grand pine tree shaped like a majestic bonsai. Its ancient branches spread like a guardian spirit over the garden, the mountains, and the family it overlooks. The architects and designers at RON DESIGN Articious Co., Ltd. aimed to capture this mystical atmosphere by creating a design that allows the family to experience their surroundings' tranquillity and spiritual calm fully.

The client, deeply rooted in traditional Japanese culture while embracing modern living envisioned a home that could harmoniously blend these two worlds. The result is an awe-inspiring space where a double-height living area, kitchen, and dining room converge. A disappearing wall of glazed doors connects the interior to the lush garden and the historic Kura, bringing nature into the living space.

The living area features a striking sculpted plaster wall extending the room's total height. Created by a prominent Japanese artisan, the masterpiece captures the essence of the nearby mountains, the ocean breeze, and the historic sailing ships integral to the family's shipping business. The wall's design is a modern abstraction but is executed using traditional Japanese plastering techniques, paying homage to the enduring skills of the country's artisans.

Maintaining a balance between modern luxury and traditional essence, the hotel has a small tatami room designed for intimate tea ceremonies with clients and friends. The room showcases sliding washi paper panels that can be fully opened and discreetly tucked away within the walls to expand the open-plan living area or closed off to create a private sanctuary.

The residence's first-floor private quarters encompass five bedrooms, a spacious family bathroom, and a sizable walk-in closet that serves the entire family, eliminating the need for additional storage in each bedroom.

The 'man-cave' is a unique and highly personalized aspect of the design - a rare feature in Japan. RON DESIGN Articious Co., Ltd. envisioned this space as a hidden retreat within the house, where the client can entertain friends and business associates in a masculine yet elegant, friendly, and contemporary environment. This large L-shaped room, accessible via a private staircase, enjoys the full height of the sloping ceiling, providing a sense of seclusion and sophistication.

The house's exterior reflects its core design philosophy: the fusion of contemporary Western architecture with traditional Japanese craftsmanship. The ground floor, constructed in reinforced concrete, meets Japan's strict building and earthquake standards while embodying a modern architectural aesthetic. In contrast, the first floor is a timber structure made from locally sourced cedar and cross-laminated timber panels, symbolizing the enduring legacy of Japanese woodcraft. The exterior walls, clad in panels made of reconstituted materials, show a commitment to sustainability and innovation.

The house is designed with near-zero emissions in mind, using solar power and storage batteries for energy efficiency. Shoji screens on the south and west sides help diffuse the intense summer sun, reducing heat gain while maintaining a balance of light and shade within the home. The design ethos goes beyond aesthetics; it's a dedication to local production, material sourcing, and the employment of skilled craftspeople from the community.

This residence represents a perfect blend of history, culture, and modernity, where the old and family harmoniously converge, representing the family's legacy.

For more information, please visit: https://ron-design.jp/

*This project is one of the shortlisted project in the Sky Design Awards 2024 - Interior design - Residential Division

Designer Profile

Greenland Tai-Lake City

Greenland Tai-Lake City is a project created by Suzhou Industrial Park Renhai Interior Design Studio. The mansion is nestled by the calm shores of Taihu Lake, and its design complements the rolling landscape of the Jiangnan hills, which offer a beautiful view of lakes, mountains, and fields. The landscape architecture reflects this natural beauty, with terraces, vegetable gardens, and peaceful ecological waterscapes seamlessly connected to the mansion through well-designed corridors. Inspired by the classical Pavilion of Surging Waves, the design blurs the boundaries between the private courtyard and the broader community landscape, creating a fluid interaction of interior and exterior spaces that engage with the natural and conceptual water systems, fostering a sense of community and belonging.

The residence boasts a meticulously crafted spatial layout that seamlessly integrates intimate and expansive areas, enhancing the daily living experience. The design's nuanced transitions establish a guided progression through the space, instilling a sense of continual discovery. Careful calibration of spatial dimensions ensures a comfortable and secure living environment, avoiding overwhelming vastness or confining enclosure. The refined interior, punctuated by various elegant windows, each framing distinctive views of the surrounding landscape, effectively transforms the home into a living gallery of natural vistas. Rooted in a profound understanding of the family's structure and lifestyle, the design revitalizes the interplay between architecture, occupants, and the environment. The outcome is a thoughtfully orchestrated spatial configuration that harmonizes and integrates the relationships between landscape, architecture, and interior design, preserving the unique character of each element within the composition.

*This project is one of the shortlisted project in the Sky Design Awards 2024 - Interior Design

Unveiling the De Bethune Lounge and 1916 Company Watch Collectors Salon: A Fusion of Elegance and Innovation

The De Bethune Lounge and the 1916 Company Watch Collectors Salon were designed by Clifton Leung Design Workshop. These luxurious spaces, located in the heart of Central Hong Kong, serve as a testament to exquisite craftsmanship and innovative design. The grand establishment was officially inaugurated in December, ushering in the New Year with opulence and sophistication.

Upon arrival, guests are immersed in a modern and mystical Art Deco design world from entering the elevator lobby. This captivating experience sets the stage for an extraordinary stay within thoughtfully-curated spaces, where every element, from the furniture to the lighting, has been carefully selected to create a luxurious and sophisticated ambiance.

The showroom has a striking stone bar in the center, adorned with elegant gold details that enhance the ambiance and add refinement. A unique antique mirror is a stunning backdrop for a thoughtfully selected wine collection, creating a visually captivating focal point within the showroom.

The lounge area has designer loungers and coffee tables, creating flexible settings for various gatherings and events, from intimate business meetings to elegant cocktail parties. Two custom-designed desks with an attractive center display feature the finest selections from the watch collection, adding to the area's sophisticated charm.

"The open ceiling is adorned with captivating round feature lights that emit a beautiful glow over the designer furniture. Strategically placed spotlights with a high colour rendering index (CRI) ensure that the true colours of the watches are accurately displayed. This is a crucial element for a watch trading showroom."

A centrepiece feature cabinet in the Salon seating area showcases carefully selected timepieces, reflecting the exceptional craftsmanship and artistry of De Bethune.

Two exclusive De Bethune rooms, accessible through pairs of elegant black mullioned sliding doors, echo the design of the De Bethune DB25 watch. The walls are adorned with captivating starry sky wallpaper and hand-painted showers of stars, mirroring the celestial beauty of the watch. Complemented by a posh black carpet, midnight blue draperies, and stage-like spotlighting, these rooms create a mysterious atmosphere perfect for personalized service from watch specialists, making you feel truly privileged and special.

An ingeniously concealed dynamic watch trading room, integrated behind a sliding partition, seamlessly blends functionality with aesthetics, ensuring a comfortable and relaxing experience within the 1916 Salon's layout.

The De Bethune Lounge and 1916 Salon offer an enchanting environment where luxury, elegance, and exceptional service converge. Patrons are invited to immerse themselves in a sophisticated salon shopping experience, enjoying intimate and educational interactions with watch specialists while perusing a meticulously curated collection, each item carefully selected for its quality and value. Step into a world where every detail is crafted to captivate and delight.

This project has been shortlisted for the Sky Design Awards 2024 in the Architecture division.

For more information, please visit: https://www.cliftonleungdesignworkshop.com/

A New Landmark: Tatsuya Kawamoto + Associates Redefines Community Space

In a visionary project by Tatsuya Kawamoto + Associates, a new landmark has been meticulously crafted to redefine the urban landscape. This ambitious endeavour, which harnessed innovative design and construction methods, utilized two sites on opposite sides of a road to create a seamless, integrated space. The complex includes a florist, a plant shop, and a café, transcending traditional site boundaries and treating the road as an intrinsic part of the unified landscape.

"The design includes a U-shaped glass façade that allows visitors to easily move between the garden and interior spaces. This see-through design makes the building accessible from any direction, creating a welcoming environment. To better connect the indoors and outdoors, the eaves extend 2.7 meters above the ground, creating a friendly intermediate area. This area is designed for relaxation and community engagement."

A significant challenge we faced was maximizing the spatial volume without partition walls. We were able to address this issue ingeniously by using the innovative 'stacked beam' method. This method involved local craftsmen combining three smaller beams on-site to create a longer beam, instead of using a single, expensive, large beam. This not only helped us work within material constraints but also highlighted the significance of local craftsmanship and the use of regionally sourced lumber.

The project is intensely focused on community involvement. The client's goal of creating a significant space was achieved with the help of local artisans, instilling a sense of pride and connection to the project. The materials and textures used in the building, such as natural stone roof tiles and custom-mixed interior plaster, were carefully chosen and crafted by local experts. A single craftsman spent over six months laying 20,000 pieces of natural stone on the roof, while rough stones collected over two years were thoughtfully integrated into the interior design.

One significant moment in the project's timeline was the use of an old piece of wood for the entrance door. This door, which was salvaged from a local building slated for demolition, required a new construction method. However, the local craftsmen rose to the challenge. They designed and installed the door on the spot, aligning with the design intent and the client's vision, and contributing to the project's sustainability and resourcefulness.

Over five years, the collaboration between the client and local craftsmen led to the creation of a new landmark in the town. This project showcases the strength of local craftsmanship and community teamwork, resulting in a functional complex that symbolizes collective effort and creativity. The project's timeline, from its inception to its completion, is a testament to the dedication and hard work of all involved.

This project has been shortlisted for the Sky Design Awards 2024 in the Architecture division.

For more information, please visit: http://tatsuyakawamoto.com/