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Designing my house & garden
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Posted by asuka (My Page) on Tue, Feb 22, 05 at 22:31
| I always wanted to live in a 'Japanese house'.. and my search over the years to discover what I find important and interesting in a home has led to many house designs, from retro Minka to Shindenesque follies - but I was younger then :)
In a bid to simplify all aspects of my life, I opted for a basic floorplan which suits my needs. A small enclosed garden will also be a joy to nurture and refine over the years, without becoming overwhelming in my dotage ;)
As a bonsai enthusiast - the tokonoma is something I definitely wanted to incorporate into the house, and the adjacent horigotatsu allows for a traditional aesthetic and enjoyment of the display without the discomfort - whilst dining with kindred spirits..
The bamboo painting on the end wall will raise to reveal a movie screen, (my other hobby ) and black-out shades will be lower in front of the shoji. [ 'Sukiya Living' purists ;) will now realise why the tokonoma and tana doesn't occupy this position]
Jack
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Here is a link that might be useful: western elevation
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Designing my house & garden
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| "Dining with kindred spirits" sounds like an invitation Jack. How do we know if it includes us/me? |
RE: Designing my house & garden
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INK, You don't have to put on a wig and do Ethel Merman! (tho' you can if you want to) - I simply meant people who don't object to sitting on the floor.
My home is open to all peace-loving souls :) |
RE: Designing my house & garden
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| Thanks for sharing your vision, asuka...your dream reminds me of my own...wide plank floors, exposed beams, wide covered porches, tatami rooms, zabutons and zafus. sabi |
RE: Designing my house & garden
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| Sabi, then you are a kindred spirit :) - I too have never found any other type of domestic architecture as appealing. It's always had a profoundly soothing effect on me Jack |
RE: Designing my house & garden
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| Well done Jack, is that a remote on the coffee table for all your toys????????? :) I am afraid after dinner and saki we may need an end loader to get me up if I were a guest. Chuckling We can all tell you really aren't that old, no lazy boy to be seen anywhere. All kidding aside, there is a wonderous beauty in simplicity and I do believe you have captured it. Cheers June |
RE: Designing my house & garden
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| Thanks June.. heh heh ..maybe I shoul have a block and tackle installed above the dining area to winch arthritic guests to their feet or maybe just drag them on their butts, away from the table - in a dignified way of course :)) Jack |
RE: Designing my house & garden
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| Oh butt of course!;))))))))))))))))))))))))) Cheers June |
RE: Designing my house & garden
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| My question is how do you get the family to buy into this style of architecture/life without them having spent quality time in Japan? |
RE: Designing my house & garden
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| I don't think that's possible,Don. For a 'family' situation, the only compromise I would suggest is creating a Japanese annexe in whatever form appeals - either a tatami room facing a small garden or if space allows, a tea house complete with roji at the back of the property - to name a couple of examples This type of dwelling would be much too restrictive, severe and unrealistic for a family, particularly with small children. .. who aren't accustomed to removing shoes
- let alone punching holes through the shoji - or worse, drowning in the koi pond (Yikes) jack |
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