Local design studio Cubo Design Architects designs the new C4L House located in Tokyo. It is inspired by traditional Japanese detail and materials blended together with modern accents. It starts off with a foundation that is influenced by Japanese construction to honor "the warmth of things made by hand." The studio worked with a few local artisans and referenced Japanese author Junichiro Tanizaki's essay In Praise of Shadows from 1933.
Studio founder Hitoshi Saruta notes that "As Junichiro Tanizaki writes, there are materials and furnishings whose beauty and comfort can only be fully appreciated in the half-light of a traditional home. We believe houses that are rooted in an understanding of Japan's cultural context and a respect for the skills and innovations of our ancestors, which can nevertheless be passed onto future generations, are the kind of houses we should be building in Japan today."
Image Credit: Cubo Design Architects
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Honoring Japanese Tradition
- Designing modern homes that pay tribute to traditional Japanese art and architecture.
- Blending Traditional and Modern Elements
- Creating a unique design language by combining traditional Japanese material and design language with modern elements to create contemporary spaces.
- Cultural Context-inspired Design
- Creating designs that are rooted in an understanding of Japan's cultural context and respect for the skills and innovations of ancestors.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Architecture
- Architects can create unique designs by combining traditional and modern elements to create aesthetically pleasing structures that pay tribute to history.
- Interior Design
- The use of materials and furnishings that blend traditional and modern designs can create an improved ambiance to an interior space.
- Furniture and Artisanship
- Partnering with local artisans and employing traditional techniques in the production and design of furniture and home decor can create an opportunity for a niche market.
