Villa in Deep Woods // Image Courtesy of Kidosaki Architects studio

Villa in Deep Woods // Image Courtesy of Kidosaki Architects studio

Modern Japanese architecture is undoubtedly acknowledged for its clean modern design and minimalist interiors. This type of modern architecture is in many ways timeless and enduring as it is free of disorienting trend design characteristic which are accentuated by the interior and exterior.  An example of such fine Japanese modern architecture is that of Kidosaki Architects Studio which was established in 2000.

House on the Hill // Image Courtesy of Kidosaki Architects studio

House on the Hill // Image Courtesy of Kidosaki Architects studio

Hirotaka Kidosaki, the principal of Kidosaki Architects Studio was born in Japan in 1942, he studied architecture at Nihon University, Japan and holds a Master’s degree from the University of Sheffield.  From 1979 to 1993 Kidosaki acted as Vice-President at Kenzo Tange Associates.  Kenzo Tange is the best-known Japanese architect, whose National Gymnasiums for the Tokyo Olympics emphasized the contrast and blending of pillars and walls, and with sweeping roofs reminiscent of the tomoe (an ancient whorl-shaped heraldic symbol) are dramatic statements of form and movement in architecture.  In 1993 Kidosaki joined Architect 5 Partnership an established partnership-based architectural design office by Junichi Kawamura, Hidetsugu Horikoshi, and Takeo Matsuoka, to only establish Kidosaki Architects Studio in 2000.

House on the Hill // Image Courtesy of Kidosaki Architects studio

House on the Hill // Image Courtesy of Kidosaki Architects studio

House on the Hill // Image Courtesy of Kidosaki Architects studio

House on the Hill // Image Courtesy of Kidosaki Architects studio

In his successful architectural career Kidosaki has been a part of the building block of what we know today as modern Japanese architecture.  The need to rebuild Japan after World War II proved a great incentive for Japanese architecture, and within a short time, the cities were functioning again. However, the new cities that came to replace the old ones came to look very different. The current look of Japanese cities is the result of and a contributor to 20th and 21st century architectural attitudes. With the introduction of Western building techniques, materials, and styles, new steel and concrete structures were built in strong contrast to traditional styles.

Ogawa cottage extension  // Image Courtesy of Kidosaki Architects studio

Ogawa cottage extension // Image Courtesy of Kidosaki Architects studio

Kidosaki integrates Japanese spatial arrangements and the concept of interpenetrating exterior and interior space, long achieved in Japan by opening up walls made of shoji or otherwise known as sliding doors.  This is also visible in examples of his recent work such as House on the Hill, Villa in Deep Woods, House in Hanare-Mountain, Ikuo Hirayama Tea House // Jakuseian, and Ogawa Cottage Extension.

Ogawa cottage extension  // Image Courtesy of Kidosaki Architects studio

Ogawa cottage extension // Image Courtesy of Kidosaki Architects studio

House in Hanareyama // Image Courtesy of Kidosaki Architects studio

House in Hanareyama // Image Courtesy of Kidosaki Architects studio

In the projects which Kidosaki Architectural Studio overtakes they apply Japanese traditional craft skills into architecture. By doing so, a space can emit its true beauty; the office finds it great if they can contribute to succession and development of Japanese craftsmanship.  In their works they attempt to create spaces where the occupant of the house can feel different types of passage time.  Without cutting the bond between traditional Japanese architecture and modern Japanese architecture Kidosaki incorporates the exterior environment to the interior as he intends to link the surrounding with the interior space in a pleasant manner and captivate the changes of shadows and seasons, by means of several spots of visual clearance.   Walls with a sense of volume and transparent glass penetrate into each other to structure deep openings.  These are just a few of the characteristics used when Kidosaki Architectural Studio designs unique residences.

House in Hanareyama // Image Courtesy of Kidosaki Architects studio

House in Hanareyama // Image Courtesy of Kidosaki Architects studio

House on the Hill // Image Courtesy of Kidosaki Architects studio

House on the Hill // Image Courtesy of Kidosaki Architects studio

House on the Hill // Image Courtesy of Kidosaki Architects studio

House on the Hill // Image Courtesy of Kidosaki Architects studio

The awe inspiring designs of Kidosaki Architectural Studio infuse Japanese aesthetic ideas into starkly contemporary buildings with the original characteristics of traditional Japanese architecture.   Kidosaki Architectural Studio has unique works which combine modern and traditional while trying to keep a strong Japanese architectural identity.  The coexistence of traditional and new values exceeds the borders and creates designs of the future.

House on the Hill // Image Courtesy of Kidosaki Architects studio

House on the Hill // Image Courtesy of Kidosaki Architects studio

House on the Hill // Image Courtesy of Kidosaki Architects studio

House on the Hill // Image Courtesy of Kidosaki Architects studio

House on the Hill // Image Courtesy of Kidosaki Architects studio

House on the Hill // Image Courtesy of Kidosaki Architects studio

Kidosaki Architects Studio

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