Japanese traditional house designs are characterized by their unique blend of past and present, creating an exciting and timeless architectural style. From Minka, a traditional Japanese-style house, to Shikumen, a traditional Chinese-style house, each distinctive type of house has its own allure and charm. Modernized Japanese-style houses and additions on Japanese-style Houses are the two popular designs trending today. Minka are traditional Japanese-style houses that often feature steeply-pitched roofs, sliding doors, and tatami floor mats. Shikumen, on the other hand, are traditional Chinese-style houses, which commonly feature front gates, stone-paved courtyards, arcades, grand entrance halls, and decorated stoves. Japanese Traditional House Designs
Japanese Traditional House Designs
Minka, or dwellings of the people, are traditional Japanese-style houses. Despite the wide variety of old-time Minka designs, a few common features remain across most of these traditional Japanese-style houses.
Most Minka feature steeply-pitched roofs made of either thatch, wood or tile, sliding door panels and tatami, which are Japanese-style floor mats. Each building design was typically distinctive to the region and period, allowing architects to stay true to what the building was designed for. Modernized Japanese-style houses today, however, are designed for improved convenience and comfort. Oftentimes, modernized Minka today can incorporate features such as wall-pads or a two-level layout. Minka – Traditional Japanese-Style Houses
Minka – Traditional Japanese-style Houses
Shikumen, or stone warehouse gatehouses, are traditional Chinese-style houses which were commonly seen in Shanghai’s Old Town area. These houses typically feature front gates, arcades, stone-paved courtyards, grand entrance halls, and decorated stoves. Similarly, modernized Shikumen today are also tailored to provide enhanced comfort for the family, while still maintaining its timeless design aesthetic. Nowadays, Shikumen designs have taken on a more “minimalistic” look, with many features being streamlined or simplified. Another trend today has been for Shikumen to be constructed with materials inspired by the trendy designs of the 1950s and 1960s. Shikumen – Traditional Chinese-Style Houses
Shikumen – Traditional Chinese-style Houses
Modernized Japanese-style houses today are designed with components that provide superior convenience and comfort. With remodeled traditional roofs and sliding doors, modernized Japanese-style houses have been adapted to provide superior insulation and comfort. For example, builders may incorporate traditional Japanese elements such as shoji screens, paper lanterns, and wall-pads for extra comfort. While modernized Japanese-style houses have adapted to modern tastes, some traditional features, such as the two-level layout, remain unchanged. This style of living consists of an upstairs area for sleeping areas and downstairs area for entertaining. With a modernized version of the two-level layout, there is a possibility for a looser layout while still preserving the charm of a traditional, Japanese house.Modernized Japanese-Style Houses
Modernized Japanese-style Houses
Tekkoya, or fishermen’s houses, are a Japanese house type that originated in Okinawa prefecture and was once used by fishermen and merchants. Typically, these houses include thatched roofs and eaves that are low and overhanging, allowing for the shade and protection from the elements. Tekkoya may have been modified slightly throughout the years, but the style remains mostly unchanged. Low-hanging eaves to create ample shade, as well as the addition of lanterns, decoration over the doorways, and sliding doors, still remain emblematic of this traditional design. Tekkoya – Fishermen’s Houses
Tekkoya – Fishermen's Houses
Japanese-style houses have been modified throughout the years to provide improved comfort and insulation. To add insulation, builders have used additions to maintain a healthy temperature for the house. Some of the common additions include screen walls, blinds, and air seals. An air seal is an important addition to these houses, as it prevents heat from leaking into the house during the summer and helps keep the heat in during the winter. Additionally, other features may be implemented such as paper lanterns, shoji screens, and wooden balconies. Additions on Japanese-Style Houses
Additions on Japanese-style Houses
Japanese traditional house designs are not just limited to the confines of Japan. In fact, these house designs have been seen throughout the world, taking the form of homes, apartments, and commercial buildings. For instance, the International House of Japan in Tokyo, designed in the traditional Japanese style, contains a few elements reminiscent of a Japanese house, such as the roof tiles and the sliding door panels. On the other hand, the Dyson Institute of Engineering and Technology in the United Kingdom features design elements of a traditional Japanese house, such as the wooden balconies and the thatched roof. Worldwide Variations of Japanese Houses
Worldwide Variations of Japanese Houses
Gassho-zukuri, or prayer-hands construction, are ancient-style farmhouses typically found in parts of the Historical Villages of Shirakawa-go Gokayama in central Japan. These farmhouses are characterized by their steeply-pitched, thatched roofs, which are said to resemble the hands of a person praying. Originally built to withstand the heavy snow accumulation during the winter, Gassho-zukuri houses have been modified and improved in recent years. Some of the features applied to these houses today include window frames made of white cypress, cypress bark roofs, and fixed drainage systems that are used to direct the waters away from the house. Gassho-zukuri – Ancient Style Farmhouses
Gassho-zukuri – Ancient Style Farmhouses
Kominka, or old-style houses, are ancient-style houses which are typically constructed of wood and sparsely adorned. Kominka houses often feature a “sunken hearth”, or a built-in floor area dug into the ground, which is thought to mimic the stove used in ancient samurai houses. Throughout the years, Kominka houses have been adapted slightly to include modern amenities. These include the use of stones for the foundation, metal roofing over the traditional thatched roof, and the addition of internal walls for privacy. Kominka – Ancient Houses
Kominka – Ancient Houses
Hutong, or narrow lanes, are lanes formed by low-rise brick houses and other buildings that have been interconnected. Hutongs are commonly seen in Beijing and are the remnants of the city’s old town. These lanes have undergone changes throughout the years due to city modernizations. Nowadays, Hutongs are seen as a picturesque scene, with their stone walls, tile roofs, and narrow lanes radiating timeless charm and character. Hutong – Narrow Lanes
Hutong – Narrow Lanes
Shophouses, or shop dwellings, are buildings that contain a shop or restaurant on the lower level and an upper-level living space. These buildings showcase a combination of Japanese and western styles, with their red-tile roofs, white- trimmed windows, and unique wooden structures. Today, these shop dwellings continue to be a popular home design style in Japan, with several shops adapting this style for modern businesses. Additionally, recent redevelopments have allowed for some shophouses to obtain more contemporary features, such as the incorporation of glass doors or a cantilever balcony that is featured on the second-floor. Shophouses – Blended Japanese and Western Styles
Shophouses – Blended Japanese and Western Styles
Traditional Japanese Style House Design
Traditional Japanese house design has been popular for hundreds of years, due to its unique and stylish aesthetic appeal. As centuries have gone by, homeowners have begun updating their homes with traditional Japanese style house design , which combines elements of both ancient and modern architecture. This form of architectural design includes natural materials such as wooden and bamboo walls, thatched roofs, and gravel paths, as well as traditional Japanese decoration like sliding doors, latticework, and tatami mats.
Creating a Traditional Japanese Style House
When it comes to creating a traditional Japanese style home, it helps to understand the basic elements of traditional Japanese architecture. Japanese-style houses typically feature low-slung roofs and large eaves to provide relief from the heat as well as help drain water during heavy rain. Many homeowners opt to use natural wood such as cedar or cypress to construct the roof, walls, and other structure elements of their traditional home. Additionally, they often use sliding doors known as fusuma to divide rooms, and shoji screens, made of wooden frames and translucent paper, to diffuse direct sunlight.
Interior Decoration
In addition to these structural elements, traditional Japanese style house design often includes decorative elements like sliding doors painted with floral or abstract designs , tatami mats for flooring, and decorative lanterns throughout the home. Homeowners can also add decorative elements like ikebana (flower arranging), incense burners, and calligraphy art for a truly authentic traditional Japanese aesthetic.
Modern Japanese Home Design
Although the traditional elements of Japanese house design are often used to create a modern and contemporary home, modern designs have their own unique style. These homes usually utilize more modern forms of design such as steel and glass, while still incorporating traditional elements like tatami mats, sliding doors, low-slung roofs, and large eaves. Many modern Japanese homes also embrace the “open plan” concept which allows homeowners to make better use of limited space.
