Japanese style interior inspired by Zen philosophy, bringing cool and minimalist forms are integrated in traditional Japanese style. Open space without walls allow more air circulation and organic flow between interior and exterior. Japanese traditional Zen philosophy inspires the simplistic, natural essence found in minimalist architecture and design. Line, form, space, light and material are but a few of the essential elements central to this widely popular design aesthetic. For today we want to present you Two Apartments In Modern Minimalist Japanese Style. Japanese style evolves around clean and uncluttered living, holding tightly to balance, order, ancient customs and a love for natural beauty. In this article we look at designs that stay true to the essence of this fierce minimalism in Japanese interiors.
Apartment redesigned by Clare Cousins Architects
This 75 square meter apartment is located in Western Australia and was recently redesigned by Clare Cousins Architects. It was necessary to make a warm and open home for a young family who was expecting their first child. With such a small space for two adults and soon a child, an effort was made to minimize the sleeping area while maximizing the living space. This meant that every element had to be truly necessary, in the Japanese style, and when possible each space had to have multiple functions. A young family of course will also want to be able to entertain on occasion and perhaps have overnight guests. The lofted area of the apartment accomplishes that goal with a spare guest bed as well as access area to hidden storage compartments. The lofted storage is actually home to more furniture, made from plywood, that folds flat to save space. The clients, who were expecting a baby at the time, wanted to convert the only bedroom into two small bedrooms. Plywood joinery was used to define spaces rather than build walls. The child’s bedroom was sized to just fit a single bed between walls. The adults bedroom utilises 3 colourful sliding screens which allow the room to be totally screened from the living room or opened up to allow the bed platform to be used as part of the living space.
The full-height joinery not only separates the master sleeping nook from the baby’s room, but incorporates lots of flexible inbuilt storage, accessible from both inside the bedrooms and outside. A mezzanine loft allows access to an additional storage cavity, while salmon laminate creates a tidy work station in the nook below. The bathroom is fitted with common but creatively composed tiles, and gold electroplated tapware – for a little bling! – in this otherwise understated city pad.
Apartment redesigned by Sinato Architects
This apartment is a renovation, done by the team at Sinato Architects. The house is known as Fujigaoka M and is more than two decades old. The purpose of the renovation was to create a space that was both more modern and more comfortable for the married couple who was to live there. None of the rooms in the home are closed off by walls and doors. Instead, half walls create some division and necessary privacy while sunlight from two sides of the home is allowed to flood in. Of course, the use of sturdy natural wood, for the inner terrace as well as furnishings and flooring, is distinctly aligned with the Japanese aesthetic, giving the entire space a warm and cozy glow.
