All architecture is a dance between the public and the private. The things we choose to show, and the things we keep to ourselves – usually quite telling. Among the small streets of Osaka, things that happen on street level are usually of the public’s interest, and therefore the public’s business. Jonoya by Masakazu Tsujibayashi creates a rich inner world, one that stays relatively hidden, an oasis among the dense urban sprawl.
Inside, interiors are bathed in warm wood, an ode to the natural undulations and growth patterns divined by nature. Large skylights add a beautiful brilliance to the wood, catching the confluence of chatoyance and sun. Wood slat floors retain a sense of loftiness to the top floors, a treehouse that somehow exists within the trunk.
Corners that would otherwise be quite unapproachable become places of visual interest – windows are situated close to the floor, with a generous skylight directly above. A curious and delightful upending of traditional placement carries throughout the house, providing more instances for a changing of perspective throughout the everyday. This philosophy could carry far past the built environment, to introduce new ways of thinking to far corners of the mind. Storage is plentiful on the top floors, offering a density of knowledge and reflection, a library of life.
This grand staircase is the axis on which Jonoya House turns – bathed in light, and accented by an almost completely mirrored wall, the staircase echoes the simplicity and clear craftsmanship that extends throughout the project. Joinery is visible and celebrated, a nod to the ancient technologies that have allowed brilliant architecture to take place.
Generous curvatures keep the interiors warm and approachable among more technical design language. A long table signals an invitation to host, an easy eventuality when there’s room for all.
The simple facade belies the depth of interiority underneath, light and privacy two central tenets of the design. No window at waist height, and many corners below a traditional right angle, Jonoya House offers a novel space to create and work, but mosy importantly, relax and live.
To learn more about Jonoya House and the work of Masakazu Tsujibayashi, visit instagram.com.
Photography by Yosuke Ohtake.
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