akio isshiki's house evokes tropical design on japan's hayashisaki matsue beach

a japanese beach house and restaurant by akio isshiki

Located in Akashi, Japan, the recently completed‘House in Hayashisaki Matsue Beach’is designed by architecture studio Akio Isshiki Architects. A pre-existing coastal dwelling has been renovated to create a mixed-use project including a ground-level restaurant topped by the designer’s residence and workplace. The architects aimed for an harmonious fusion of various elements, including function, culture and nationality, time and space, town and house, and work and life. By embracing the cultural background of the area while incorporating the materials and techniques from foreign countries, the team sought to breathe new life into this‘multinational house.’

akio isshiki's house evokes tropical design on japan's hayashisaki matsue beach

images © Yosuke Ohtake | @yosukeohtake_archiphoto

fusing multi-cultural design elements

Throughout the‘House in Hayashisaki Matsue Beach,’cultural connections are celebrated through thoughtful design choices by Akio Isshiki Architects. The team took inspiration from the area’s history as a tile production hub and finished the dirt floor with handcrafted tiles from Awaji. These tiles pay homage to the lava stone pavements found in Central and South American cities, evoking nostalgic tropical design into the interiors.

The integration of nets reminiscent of mosquito nets and Sudare blinds on the Shoji screens further enhances the ambiance. The clever use of imperfect partitions, such as Shoji and Fusuma, creates graceful plans that echo ancient Japanese architecture. Additionally, native drooping plants subtly divide the space, offering a sense of separation. On the second floor, the wall facing the sea features a scraped wall technique mixed with red iron oxide, expertly finished by a plasterer from Awaji. The architects note that this choice represents an endeavor to incorporate the vibrant and colorful walls found in various countries into the Japanese architectural context.

handcrafted tiles pay homage to the lava stone pavements found in Central and South American cities

house in Hayashisaki Matsue Beach: where old and new coexists

One of the key design principles guiding the‘House in Hayashisaki Matsue Beach’was the concept of mixing‘time axes’to create a sense of depth within the space. Instead of emphasizing a stark contrast between the old and the new or merely matching the existing elements, the architects treated old materials and designs as elements with their own temporal axis. The result is a space that seamlessly weaves together the past and the present.

Pillars and beams, both old and new, coexist in an artful jumble, while the newly added Shoji screens are layered to allow glimpses of the existing figured glass. Even the door handle, acquired during a trip, adds to the narrative by blurring its origins and making it a part of the timeless composition. A cypress pillar stands atop natural stones, evoking a sensation of timelessness. Materials from different eras coexist, each carefully selected to enhance the overall aesthetic and age gracefully, creating an enduring beauty that unfolds over time.