︎Title:
5 JAPANESE DESIGN PRINCIPLES FOR YOUR HOME
Kanso is the art of simplicity and the elimination of clutter within your personal space. This embraces the ‘less is more’ approach and stands behind the belief that things are best expressed in a plain manner. It’s important to not focus on the aspect of decorating with Kanso. More so the goal of clarity - keep it clean and simple, don’t adorn or over embellish.[1]
Fukinsei is a principle that stands for irregularity or asymmetry. This stems from the concept of ‘Zen’ which maintains the idea that balance can be controlled through irregularity and that there is a balanced asymmetry. This doesn’t mean everything in your house should be lopsided, rather a balance has to be established across the entire space.
Shizen is an adjective that means “to be natural”. It encourages natural creativity (that is not forced) through the absence of fakeness and artificialness. This involves intentionally creating a space that has that natural feel.
Wabi-sabi means finding beauty in imperfection. It combines the principles of Shizen and Kanso and refers to living in simplicity while being at one with the surrounding nature. It encourages you to accept the imperfections of what is around you and embrace an authentic interior design.
Seijaku can mean a range of things like “tranquility”, “stillness” or “solitude”. The best way to think of it is to imagine you’re in the open space of a Japanese garden, and the sense of calmness it exudes - this is what Seijaku is all about. In relation to interior design, Seijaku encourages you to embrace a design that allows for calmness and solitude via open spaces.
References
House 10
5 JAPANESE DESIGN PRINCIPLES FOR YOUR HOME
Kanso – The Art of Simplicity
What Is KansoKanso is the art of simplicity and the elimination of clutter within your personal space. This embraces the ‘less is more’ approach and stands behind the belief that things are best expressed in a plain manner. It’s important to not focus on the aspect of decorating with Kanso. More so the goal of clarity - keep it clean and simple, don’t adorn or over embellish.[1]
Fukinsei – Asymmetry In Design
What Is FukinseiFukinsei is a principle that stands for irregularity or asymmetry. This stems from the concept of ‘Zen’ which maintains the idea that balance can be controlled through irregularity and that there is a balanced asymmetry. This doesn’t mean everything in your house should be lopsided, rather a balance has to be established across the entire space.
Shizen – Natural Over Artificial
What Is ShizenShizen is an adjective that means “to be natural”. It encourages natural creativity (that is not forced) through the absence of fakeness and artificialness. This involves intentionally creating a space that has that natural feel.
Wabi Sabi – Beauty Of Imperfections
What is Wabi-SabiWabi-sabi means finding beauty in imperfection. It combines the principles of Shizen and Kanso and refers to living in simplicity while being at one with the surrounding nature. It encourages you to accept the imperfections of what is around you and embrace an authentic interior design.
Seijaku – Bring Stillness Inside
What is SeijakuSeijaku can mean a range of things like “tranquility”, “stillness” or “solitude”. The best way to think of it is to imagine you’re in the open space of a Japanese garden, and the sense of calmness it exudes - this is what Seijaku is all about. In relation to interior design, Seijaku encourages you to embrace a design that allows for calmness and solitude via open spaces.
References
︎DETAILS
Location:Oklahoma City, OK
Year: 2022
Team: 180 Development
Obelisk Engineering
LAUD Studio
Location:Oklahoma City, OK
Year: 2022
Team: 180 Development
Obelisk Engineering
LAUD Studio
︎DESIGN BRIEF
The Terrace House:
The Terrace House is a three-story set of live/work units situated in the Northeast corner of Blackwelder Cottages, a new pocket neighborhood near the Plaza District in Oklahoma City.
The design is driven by the desire for connectivity between the quiet and functional interior volume and the private and rich exterior landscape of Blackwelder Cottages.
Taking advantage of its small site, the project is a pared back and subtle object that harmonizes with the existing homes in this unique pocket community. The building form uses the compact site and tight planning regulations to achieve dynamic vertical lines of sight from the ground and expansive views to the surrounding neighborhood from each level.
Each unit incorporates a private terrace that extends that unit’s living space to the outdoors. These terraces overlook the commons below and provide a great place for morning coffee or a beer after work. Photovoltaic panels lining the roof provide sustainable energy to the project.
The Terrace House:
The Terrace House is a three-story set of live/work units situated in the Northeast corner of Blackwelder Cottages, a new pocket neighborhood near the Plaza District in Oklahoma City.
The design is driven by the desire for connectivity between the quiet and functional interior volume and the private and rich exterior landscape of Blackwelder Cottages.
Taking advantage of its small site, the project is a pared back and subtle object that harmonizes with the existing homes in this unique pocket community. The building form uses the compact site and tight planning regulations to achieve dynamic vertical lines of sight from the ground and expansive views to the surrounding neighborhood from each level.
Each unit incorporates a private terrace that extends that unit’s living space to the outdoors. These terraces overlook the commons below and provide a great place for morning coffee or a beer after work. Photovoltaic panels lining the roof provide sustainable energy to the project.