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Sukiya Style Architecture
The
true spirit of Japanese architecture can be found in the Japanese house and
the sukiya style of residential construction. Japanese houses come in
many shapes and sizes, but for 400 years the majority of them have been
built in the sukiya style. Anyone interested in the architecture of
Japan should become familiar with this vernacular.
The sukiya style Japanese home is a refined and graceful living space that employs elements of the Japanese tea house. Characteristics of the sukiya style include delicate proportions, the ample use of natural materials, the integration of interior and exterior spaces, and a general sense of quiet elegance with rustic overtones. In the traditional Japanese house, moderation is of key importance. In addition to slender wood elements and the lack of ostentation, the sukiya living environment strives, not to overwhelm, but rather to harmonize with the human scale and human sense perception.
JOJG publishes regular articles about Japanese home design and Japanese traditional houses. Some of the articles include blueprints of Japanese house plans, but most of the articles strive to help readers bring the mood of Sukiya Living into their own living environments. Posted below are a few sample articles for your review:
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CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MODERN SUKIYA STYLE High-quality estates built in Japan today are largely constructed in the modern sukiya style. This 6-page article strives to define kindai-sukiya as compared to the traditional sukiya form.
JAPANESE WOOD HOUSES This article examines the use of finely-planed wood timbers in Japanese house construction.
HOUSE-GARDEN INTEGRATION This short article examines one hallmark of all sukiya-style residences.
A TRADITIONAL JAPANESE HOUSE PLAN What, exactly, would you find in a typical Japanese home? This article explores the subject.
THE IZUMI-DONO EFFECT Some sukiya-style homes are positioned so that they partially extend over water. The technique requires careful planning and some serious engineering.
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