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Clay House is a residence in the heart of Tokyo that embodies the essence of Japanese craftsmanship. The building, the latest work of Paris-based Japanese architect Tsuyoshi Tane, blends quietly into its surroundings, a dense residential area composed mainly of two-story single-family homes. But behind its understated stucco cladding lies a treasure trove of rich material palettes and exquisite details – hallmarks of Tarn architecture. Before establishing his own practice in 2017, Tane worked with Dan Dorell and Lina Ghotmeh of DGT Architects. He subsequently completed several houses and was selected to design the much-anticipated building for the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, due to be completed in 2036.
Rough stucco wraps the exterior of the house. Photo © Tomoyuki Kusunose, click to enlarge.
Upstairs, the sloping ceiling culminates in a skylight.
Photo © Tomoyuki Kususe
Clay House occupies a corner site, with a square plan and four discrete open octagonal volumes at the corners, each designated for a specific function. “This frees up the middle part of the house for social activities,” Tarn explains. The ground floor is centered around the combined living/dining/kitchen area, with the garage, entrance foyer, staircase, storage room and powder room occupying the octagon. A cozy, dark place around a fireplace, this lower level is partially recessed into the ground. In contrast, the upper level is a soaring, airy space with walls that curve inward to become angled ceiling planes, culminating in a 19-foot-tall skylight. Here the owners have a multipurpose studio surrounded by stairs, bedrooms, dressing rooms and guest rooms (with a bathroom in the middle).
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Oak millwork forms the entrance vestibule (1), leading to the combined living/dining/kitchen area (2).
Photo © Tomoyuki Kususe
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The entire wooden house has no sharp edges or seams. “That’s one of the big challenges,” Tarn said. “But it was a wonderful opportunity to understand the amazing power of handiwork.” The stucco walls were sculpted by skilled masons and experienced Tane collaborators, and like clay (hence the name of the house), the stucco walls The walls are constructed from soil excavated on site. Architects and masons worked closely to adjust the material composition to make the interior smooth and the exterior rough.
The walls are just one of the handmade elements of the house. “Everything is customizable except the toilets,” the architect said with a smile. These include a terrazzo bathtub, copper kitchen counters, and, of course, the grand curved staircase—Tahn’s favorite moment is at the top, when the second floor is revealed. Made from terrazzo treads suspended from the wall and supported by a hidden steel base, it rises gracefully accompanied by a pair of delicate oak railings. This elegant form was undoubtedly inspired by the architect’s experiences living in France. “There are many beautiful staircases in Paris,” he mused.
But at its core, Clay House pays polite homage to traditional, handcrafted Japanese homes. Its form and function may be contemporary, but the spirit of craftsmanship is deeply tied to history. “Modern technology can be very beautiful,” Tarn comments, “but it’s disconnected from our humanity.”
Click on the plan to enlarge
production staff
architect:
Atelier Tsuyoshi Tane Architects — Tsuyoshi Tane, design principal; Haruki Nakayama, Ryosuke Yago, project managers; Shota Yamamoto, project architect; Minako Matsumura, Froso Pipi, Daisuke Maeda, design team
engineer:
yasuhirokaneda STRUCTURE (Structure); ZO Design Office (M/F/F)
Consultant: SOLSO (Landscape)
General contractor:
Yingguang Construction
client:
Moderator
size:
1,900 sq. ft.
cost:
Moderator
Completion Date:
August 2023
source
Cladding:
They have Sakan (plaster)
roof:
real iron workshop
Windows:
Yoshi (wood); Whimper (metal)
hardware:
target (lock); secom (security)
interior renovation:
Imjo Sakan (gypsum); Matsumoto incense (cabinet); Yamagata Tantsu (carpet)
light:
Da Zi
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