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Tato Architects insert angled walls in the remodelled House and Office in Hofu, Japan

Tato Architects have renovated a 40-year-old building into a residence, office and store for a brewery, cladding its exterior with wood salvaged by the client from miso barrels.

by Jincy IypePublished on : Jul 01, 2020

Kobe-based Tato Architects have remodelled a 40-year-old building in Japan for a brewery owner, into their house and office with angled walls, in typical Japanese minimalist style. House and Office in Hofu, Yamaguchi, is inserted within the steel-frame of the existing structure, and includes a warehouse and shop for the brewery company that specialises in traditional soy and miso products. Drawing from that, the building’s outer walls are clad in charred wood reclaimed by the client from old miso barrels.

The wood clad entrance | House and Office in Hofu by Tato Architects | STIRworld
The wood clad entrance Image Credit: Shinkenchiku Sha

“While the brewery is located elsewhere, the client wanted to create a place with a cleaner atmosphere for other parts of the business, such as an office space, shop and storage space for a nationwide distribution of products. Fortunately, the building for this renovation project was large, so it was possible to create both house and business within the frame of the existing architecture,” shares Yo Shimada, Founder, Tato Architects.

  • The all-white insides of the store, office and house designed by Tato Architects | House and Office in Hofu by Tato Architects | STIRworld
    The all-white insides of the store, office and house designed by Tato Architects Image Credit: Shinkenchiku Sha
  • Inside the minimal style store designed by Tato Architects | House and Office in Hofu by Tato Architects | STIRworld
    Inside the minimal style store designed by Tato Architects Image Credit: Shinkenchiku Sha
  • White walls and slender columns inside the store | House and Office in Hofu by Tato Architects | STIRworld
    White walls and slender columns inside the store Image Credit: Shinkenchiku Sha

The main outer frame and roof of the old building was kept as is, while newly planned spaces, partition walls and glazing were inserted within, angled at 45 degrees against the existing grid. The rotation was done to create ambiguity between the old and new layers of architecture, along with creating angled sundry spaces under the eaves and courtyards, “like wedged pieces of land between square fields”.

Pocket gardens created by the inserted angled walls, under the old roof | House and Office in Hofu by Tato Architects | STIRworld
Pocket gardens created by the inserted angled walls, under the old roof Image Credit: Shinkenchiku Sha

The public and private zones of the Hofu house and office are placed strategically according to functions. Public areas such as the shop and warehouse face north toward the road outside, followed by the office and prototyping room for product development in the middle. The residence of the client is placed furthest to the south, ensuring maximum privacy. The inserted walls create two angular gardens, one for the office spaces and a private one.

  • Inside the simple private residence of the brewery owner’s family | House and Office in Hofu by Tato Architects | STIRworld
    Inside the simple private residence of the brewery owner’s family Image Credit: Shinkenchiku Sha
  • The residence enjoys walls, ceilings and floors clad in wood | House and Office in Hofu by Tato Architects | STIRworld
    The residence enjoys walls, ceilings and floors clad in wood Image Credit: Shinkenchiku Sha
  • Children’s bedroom | House and Office in Hofu by Tato Architects | STIRworld
    Children’s bedroom Image Credit: Shinkenchiku Sha

The private and semi-private rooms that look out to the garden are separated by sliding glass doors. The private residential design observes light coloured wood clad neatly across the floors, walls and ceilings, along with unadorned décor and broad windows that bring the wind and sun in. The angled walls produce geometric shadows that are thrown across the light filled courtyard pockets and the interiors of the House and Office in Hofu.

  • View of the multipurpose room and office at dusk | House and Office in Hofu by Tato Architects | STIRworld
    View of the multipurpose room and office at dusk Image Credit: Shinkenchiku Sha
  • The store’s sliding glass doors with clear views of the garden | House and Office in Hofu by Tato Architects | STIRworld
    The store’s sliding glass doors with clear views of the garden Image Credit: Shinkenchiku Sha
  • Reception with a wooden shelf at the back | House and Office in Hofu by Tato Architects | STIRworld
    Reception with a wooden shelf at the back Image Credit: Shinkenchiku Sha

White dominates the interior design, from the walls to the slender columns, accentuated by features of wood and a bit of greenery provided by the pocket gardens. Slight furniture and timber shelves are placed sparsely across the concrete flooring, with petite indoor plants for company. “Looking from one room, the layers of glass doors and walls create depth and gradation, blurring the boundaries between spaces,” Shimada explains.

  • Axonometric view of the layout plan | House and Office in Hofu by Tato Architects | STIRworld
    Axonometric view of the layout plan Image Credit: Shinkenchiku Sha
  • Exploded diagram of spaces | House and Office in Hofu by Tato Architects | STIRworld
    Exploded diagram of spaces Image Credit: Shinkenchiku Sha

Project Details

Name: House and Office in Hofu
Location: Hofu, Yamaguchi, Japan
Site Area: 1,230 sqm
Building Area: 460 sqm
Total Floor Area: 460 sqm
Architect: Tato Architects/Yo Shimada
Design team: Yo Shimada, Keita Kurokoshi
Planting: COCA-Z Tatsuya Kokaji
Construction: Fukumitsu Juken/Makoto Ikeda

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