House in Tokushima Features Open Plan Living and a Wall of Books

The Japanese architecture firm, FujiwaraMuro Architects, completed this contemporary 2-story home back in 2013. The project is based in Tokushima and simply titled after its location: “House in Tokushima”.

The build was lead by Shintaro Fujiwara and Yoshio Muro, who set out to create a comfortable family home full of connected living spaces and light. Based on the picture, it looks like the project was a success.

House in Tokushima contains a total of 968.75-square-feet (90-square-meters>) spread over two floor. The house is built around a timber post and beam frame, which is evident throughout the interior. From the outside, it breaks away from the norm of the neighborhood, option for a modern box-like form with hints of industrial design.

The interior is a stark contrast with the exterior – it’s a warm, inviting, space full of bookshelves and connected living spaces. The dark tones of wood are offset by the white walls and large window openings. Varying floor levels are used to create a sense of separation despite the otherwise open plan set up.

The entrance leads directly into the kitchen/dining room and living room. There’s also a toilet, sink and bathroom on this floor, accessed off of the kitchen. However, this floor’s main feature is a large bookshelf that runs from the base of the living room to the top of the double height ceiling.

The upper level contains the home’s bedrooms, a drying room and a private little getaway. The kid’s bedrooms are composed of full-width bunk beds under which they have a study area and space for storage. The parent’s bedroom is cut-off from the open living space, as is the drying room and the getaway.

For more Japanese houses check out Kazuyasu Kochi’s playful small house that carves out living areas. Or, Mask House by CAPD, a simple home that overlooks a river in Japan. See all Japanese houses.

Photos © Toshiyuki Yano