Modern Japanese-Style Residence｜Custom-built homes by architecture firms9Picks｜A Residence Where Japanese Aesthetics Meet Contemporary Living

Wa-modern is a design approach that fuses the aesthetic values of traditional Japanese architecture and ornament—such as the sensibility of ma (the interval of space), the tactility of materials, and the interplay of light and shadow—with contemporary spatial design. It encompasses the use of natural materials like plaster, timber, stone, and washi paper executed with modern construction techniques; the integration of traditional Japanese fittings—such as lattices and sliding doors—into contemporary interiors; and spatial compositions defined by horizontal lines and low sightlines that cultivate a composed atmosphere. Rather than treating “wa” as mere surface decoration, the architectural office rigorously designs from the essence of the space to realize dwellings that are beautiful across eras and rooted in Japan’s climate and culture. Here we present examples of wa-modern residences that embody a quiet, restrained richness.

An architect's own residence located at the northern edge of the Nōbi Plain on a site with a pronounced level change where the plain meets upland terrain. The square plan is rotated 45° to reconcile openness and privacy by avoiding direct sightlines from the main road and neighboring houses. The site's elevation difference is used so that primary living spaces are on the second floor. A hybrid concrete-and-wood structure leaves materials exposed to express their natural qualities. The layout centers on the dining area and allows for continuous circulation so that, except for sleeping, daily life takes place on the second floor. Materials such as solid timber, brass, and stone were chosen to develop patina over time and to harmonize with the southern rural landscape.

On the Nara City site, buildings of different eras are connected by open verandas and an inner courtyard. The oldest and largest outbuilding — a former timber storage barn — was planned for conversion into a comfortable residence. The barn had originally been built as a lumber warehouse; half of its volume comprised a large double‑height void and much of the structure was exposed to the elements. All earthen infill walls that had deteriorated and delaminated from the post‑and‑beam frame were removed; posts and beams affected by termite damage and rot were reinforced or replaced. After upgrading the thermal insulation, the double‑height space was repurposed as a large open‑plan living/dining/kitchen (LDK). Surrounding this space, a guest tatami room, bedroom, sanitary/wet areas (bathroom and laundry), storage, and a dedicated room for cats were arranged.

This mixed-use building on a site of approximately 40 tsubo integrates a full-scale Omotesenke tea room and rental housing for two households. The tea room links a four-and-a-half-mat tea space and the mizuya (tea preparation area) with movable partitions, creating a flexible configuration that adapts to the number of participants for lessons or gatherings. The rental units prioritize materiality and residential comfort while keeping costs down, and are standardly equipped with comfortable amenities such as underfloor heating and bathroom drying/heating units. The project reconciles a space that carries on traditional culture with the functional requirements of urban living. In addition, a seismic-damping structural system has been adopted to provide reassurance against repeated major earthquakes.

A residence located in a densely built-up residential area of Uji, Kyoto Prefecture. The position and height of each window were carefully planned to obtain as much natural light and as expansive a view as possible within the limited conditions of the site. The built-in garage uses a lattice sliding door rather than a shutter, reducing its sense of enclosure in relation to the street. In the second-floor dining area, when seated in a chair, the surrounding buildings disappear from view, leaving only the sky extending across the entire window. At night, light spilling through the fixed window illuminates the ceiling, creating a quiet expression both inside and out.

A residence standing in a valley in northern Kamakura, greeted by a wisteria trellis. Taking advantage of an approximately 2.5 m level difference between the site and the road, the building is a hybrid structure with a reinforced-concrete basement and timber construction above. Passing through the entrance, a lane-like space appears and naturally guides you into the first-floor living room. Daily circulation is completed on the first floor; centered on a camphor dining table and curved walls constructed from soil of Kamakura rock, the plan offers a continuous, circulatory layout. A music room is located in the basement and a three‑tatami tea room is provided on the north side, adding a quiet, playful quality to everyday living. The exterior expresses a Japanese aesthetic with an irimoya (hip-and-gable) roof, while the interior is composed with an organic expression using stone and iron.

This is the renovation of a large family residence that has been passed down across three generations. While responding to changes in lifestyle resulting from generational succession, it has been reconfigured as a 'second living room' that continues to inherit the family's memories and emotional attachments. Retaining the existing design elements, it gently connects old and new through components such as brass and shoji screens, reorganizing the interior into a highly flexible, adaptable space. By dissolving the boundary between 'hare' (ceremonial) and 'ke' (everyday life), it becomes a home where new layers of the family's time accumulate.

The site is one of five lots subdivided into residential land 40–50 years ago when a designated roadway was established, and is a flag lot surrounded on all sides by neighboring properties. With the theme of a 'truly luxurious space' where openness and privacy coexist, a bright, sheltered residence was required. The dining room is placed at the center of the first floor, with the kitchen, a tatami room, the living room, and an engawa (veranda) arranged around it, and a double-height void secures daylight from the upper level. The design incorporates Japanese spatial relationships into daily life, creating a home that allows residents to enjoy the subtle changes of everyday life.

This residence, located in a residential area of Gakuenmae in Nara City, is designed for a couple and their three children. The courtyard, living room, and kitchen are arranged in a triangular configuration to create a generous, open space that becomes the center of family life. A small raised tatami platform adjacent to the living room serves as a play area, a space for learning, and a place to relax, accompanying the family as it grows. Designed to accommodate future change while naturally bringing family members closer together, the home fosters warm, supportive connections.

This residence, located in a quiet residential neighborhood, emphasizes the favorable surrounding landscape and the area's tranquil character, and is designed to bring that calm atmosphere into the interior spaces. It is a home that reflects the scenery and quietness of its surroundings.