House in Mukainada. Clients desired a house suitable for an elderly couple where gardening could be enjoyed. They also wanted a large space to be able to run a variety store and host a gallery or workshop in future.Therefore, we proposed a house with a planted walkway outside of the house. Outside of the house, we created wide rounded-shape earthen floor (doma) connected to the house. By planting flower and trees in and around the earthen floor (doma), the walkway appears.
photography by © Toshiyuki Yano
Making the most of existing Japanese dogwood trees, the house is located diagonally to the site with consideration given to a view of mountains on the road side, daylight from the south and misalignment of eye lines from adjacent lands. After the completion, the house becomes a gathering place for people, including parents and children of the owners living nearby. The atmosphere of the house will continue to change as the plants grow.
photography by © Toshiyuki Yano
Product Description:
Western Red Cedar timbers are used for exterior wall and Oak and Kempas floorings are used for interior floor so that the client can enjoy aging of architecture with growth of plants in the garden.
photography by © Toshiyuki Yano
Project Info:
Architects: FujiwaraMuro Architects
Project Location: Japan
Architects in Charge: Shintaro Fujiwara, Yoshio Muro
Project Area: 82.81 m2
Project Year: 2015
Photographs: Toshiyuki Yano
Manufacturers: Sanwa company, KOUSEI, NISSIN
Sophie Tremblay is a Montreal-based architectural editor and designer with a focus on sustainable urban development. A McGill University architecture graduate, she began her career in adaptive reuse, blending modern design with historical structures. As a Project Editor at Arch2O, she curates stories that connect traditional practice with forward-thinking design. Her writing highlights architecture's role in community engagement and social impact. Sophie has contributed to Canadian Architect and continues to collaborate with local studios on community-driven projects throughout Quebec, maintaining a hands-on approach that informs both her design sensibility and editorial perspective.