Onomichi House: Privacy Meets Nature

The Power of Privacy in Architecture

Sometimes, the best architectural designs demonstrate a deep understanding of when attention should be drawn away from excessive details. A recent project in Japan provides a clear example of this concept, with a nearly blank façade facing the street, creating a sense of what can be called “mysterious allure.” This strategy does not reflect stubbornness in design but an acknowledgment that privacy can be among the highest forms of luxury in residential living.

Blending the Past with the Present

This idea reflects individuals’ desire to find a private refuge away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. The design, inspired by traditional Japanese housing arrangements, combines elements of the past with a contemporary sensibility, achieving a unique balance between comfort and modernity. Here, architecture shows how cultural values can be translated into a contemporary living experience without losing their historical roots.

The Private Retreat as an Architectural Goal

This project highlights how architecture can be more than just a living space; it can be a tool to create environments that reflect a specific lifestyle, such as the pursuit of tranquility and privacy. The design of façades and attention to hidden elements enhances the user experience, turning the home into a personal sanctuary that balances openness to the surrounding environment with the preservation of residents’ privacy.

Exterior view of Onomichi House by Studio Bark set against a lush mountain backdrop in Japan, showing two connected structures. — Nestled at the foot of a mountain, the house integrates harmoniously with its natural surroundings while maintaining a bold, modern silhouette.

Close-up of the Yakisugi charred wood cladding on the two-story main building of Onomichi House, highlighting the vertical timber texture. — The vertical Yakisugi cladding provides a deep black finish that combines traditional Japanese durability with contemporary aesthetics.

Rear view of Onomichi House showing large windows and a garden area, transitioning from a closed street facade to an open landscape view. — Contrary to its closed street-facing side, the rear of the house opens up to capture natural light and views of the surrounding greenery.

Zoning Spaces According to Function

The house is divided into two structures connected by a covered entrance corridor: one is a two-story main house with a single bedroom, and the other is a single-story studio that partially encloses a small garden. This arrangement reflects the traditional Japanese concept known as Omo-ya and Hanare, meaning the main house and the annex, aiming for a clear separation between living and working spaces. This design emphasizes the importance of organizing spaces for different activities, a concept that has become even more relevant with the rise of remote work, as separating functions contributes to mental well-being and focus.

Traditional Technique in Exterior Cladding

A prominent feature of the design is the exterior cladding, where both structures are covered in vertically arranged yakisugi charred wood. This traditional Japanese technique relies on charring the wood to preserve it, providing a deep black finish that combines aesthetic appeal with protection. For more details on materials, see Material Datasheets.

Blending Heritage with Modernity

The yakisugi technique demonstrates how traditional materials can find a place in contemporary architecture without becoming a passing trend. Using this method in the house’s design creates a visual dialogue between old and new, reflecting respect for cultural heritage while integrating it into a modern living experience.

Architectural detail of the exposed wooden roof rafters and eaves of Onomichi House, showcasing traditional Japanese carpentry influences. — Exposed timber rafters beneath the roof eaves highlight the project’s dedication to honest materiality and craftsmanship.

Macro view of charred Yakisugi timber grain on the exterior walls of Onomichi House by Studio Bark. — A close-up of the Yakisugi texture, showing the unique patterns formed by the traditional carbonization process.

Interior view of Onomichi House living space at night, featuring a large window with a view of the sea and mountains under moonlight. — The interior living area is designed as a tranquil sanctuary, offering breathtaking views of the Seto Inland Sea.

Minimalist wooden staircase inside Onomichi House, illuminated by natural light from a small square window at the top. — Natural light penetrates the internal circulation spaces, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere within the home.

Balancing Interior and Exterior

What makes this project particularly notable is the way it addresses the relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces. While the street-facing side remains closed to ensure privacy, the rear opens fully toward the Setonaikai islands’ views. This strategy reflects a classic principle in Japanese architecture, where a private world is created within a public context. Even small gardens allow the interior space to breathe without sacrificing the sense of privacy.

Multicultural Design Partnerships

The collaborative aspect also deserves special attention, as the British studio worked with a Japanese architectural office on the project. This collaboration enabled navigation through the complexities of local construction while maintaining the design vision. Such partnerships demonstrate how cooperation between different architectural cultures can lead to genuine integration, rather than a mere series of compromises, enhancing the final design quality and deepening the understanding of the local environment.

Interior of the single-story studio in Onomichi House, showcasing plywood walls and a connection to the main building via a central door. — The detached studio (Hanari) provides a dedicated workspace, separating professional activities from the primary living quarters.

View from a sheltered porch of Onomichi House looking out onto a lush private garden with various plants and pottery. — The small, carefully curated garden serves as a vital transition zone between the built structures and the natural landscape.

Side view of the tall main house structure of Onomichi House featuring a single large upper-floor window overlooking the site. — The two-story main house (Omoya) contains the primary living quarters and master bedroom.

Perspective of the sheltered courtyard at Onomichi House with the studio building and garden arch in the foreground. — The arrangement of buildings creates a sheltered micro-environment that fosters a sense of peace and seclusion.

Cross-Cultural Architecture

This project demonstrates how architecture can transcend cultural boundaries when it is based on a deep understanding of the needs of the place and its inhabitants, rather than following a ready-made pattern. The design aims to fulfill the clients’ desires for tranquility, privacy, and connection with the surroundings, using traditional materials and spatial concepts in a natural and context-sensitive way, so the house does not appear as imitation or cultural disguise. Over time, the charred wood will endure, the garden will grow, and the house will gradually adapt to its environment.

The Beauty of Quiet Architecture

There is a special appeal in designs that do not shout. In an era dominated by visual spectacle and social media, a house that keeps a closed façade toward the street and reserves details for the interior seems almost revolutionary. This façade is not intended merely for mystery, but to create conditions for a lifestyle focused on comfort and privacy, where interior landscapes matter more than what passersby see.

Tranquility as a Design Element

The project reflects a clear understanding of residents’ desires; tranquility is not achieved through external display but by directing focus to what happens inside the house. In some cases, the best way to provide this privacy is to build a wall that clearly defines boundaries, dedicating all design energy to interior spaces and the daily experiences of the users.

Wide interior shot of the Onomichi House studio showing personal belongings, books, and a glass door leading to the garden. — The studio interior is lined with plywood, creating a warm and informal environment for creative work and hobbies.

Bright interior of the upper-floor living room in Onomichi House with a wide window overlooking the sea and mountains. — The upper-level living area maximizes the coastal panorama, serving as the home’s ultimate quiet retreat.

Aerial drone view of Onomichi House and its surrounding neighborhood, showing its proximity to the coastline of the Seto Inland Sea. — An aerial perspective reveals the project’s unique position between the dense neighborhood and the expansive sea.

Exterior twilight shot of Onomichi House with warm internal lights glowing through the windows against a dark blue sky. — At night, the house transforms into a glowing lantern, revealing glimpses of the warm wooden interiors through its strategic openings.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

It can be noted that the project offers several positive aspects, such as attention to privacy and the integration of traditional elements with contemporary design, reflecting a balanced cultural understanding and awareness of residential comfort. However, some design decisions may raise questions regarding their suitability for the broader environment and long-term use. A closed street-facing façade, despite its high privacy, may limit interaction between the house and its urban surroundings, reducing opportunities for full natural light and ventilation. Similarly, the focus on traditional techniques may require ongoing maintenance of the materials used and could pose challenges in different climatic contexts or when future modifications are needed.

This type of project presents an opportunity to reflect on how to achieve a practical balance between aesthetics and functionality, especially if architects wish to extend these concepts to diverse residential projects or denser urban environments. At the same time, innovative methods for creating private interior spaces can be beneficial, but they always require a flexible evaluation that considers interaction with the surroundings and the future needs of residents.