House Project in Japanese Style
Japanese culture has retained its popularity in European countries since the late 19th century, when Japan finally opened its doors to the world. Of course, there have been ebbs and flows of interest in this unique country, but that interest has persisted over time. Moreover, we must acknowledge that Japanese architecture and minimalism have had a profound impact on shaping trends in modern design and approaches to daily living.
Over the past 30 years, Japanese architects have received the Pritzker Prize more frequently than others. Naturally, many people, following these trends, wish to build a house in the Japanese style, but it is essential to distinguish between two design directions for a Japanese-style house.
Traditional Japanese-Style House
The embodiment of a truly traditional house, familiar to us from films and photographs, is the residences of aristocrats and military elites. These are typically large estates with a main building—usually a one-story house in the Japanese style—surrounded by service buildings and a spacious garden. Of course, few could afford to live in such homes, and today, most of these residences have been turned into museums. One admirer of Japanese culture approached us to build a guest area in the Japanese style for a country estate. This project almost entirely brought traditional Japanese construction methods to Russian soil, including the incorporation of a martial arts hall and a small Shinto shrine. Constructing such a building requires highly skilled professionals and great craftsmanship, so we decided to collaborate with a renowned Japanese architectural firm to develop the project. The result was a unique design, remarkable for its depth and attention to detail, intended to be realized on the shores of the Gulf of Finland.

More common and accessible are noka, rural houses of farmers and artisans, and machiya, traditional urban dwellings. Many machiya are still preserved as residential homes, especially in the districts of Kyoto. The layout of a Japanese-style machiya house is a narrow, elongated rectangle with the facade facing the street. Each house featured carved lattice screens, called *koshi*, that covered the entrance. The front typically housed a shop or artisan’s workshop with a space to receive clients, followed by office rooms, a kitchen, and storage areas in the back. The living room and other living quarters, located farthest from the street, faced an inner garden called tsuboniwa. The storage areas for goods were often located on a second or half-floor.
These buildings are highly recognizable and evoke the atmosphere of Japan, but if you want to build a Japanese-style house in Russia, we recommend considering modern Japanese-style homes.


Modern Japanese-Style House
Modern Japanese houses have retained many features that give them their recognizable charm and unique appeal. First and foremost, the layout of a Japanese-style house should be mentioned, as it can differ significantly from what we are accustomed to. The entry area in a Japanese house is always divided into two sections—a traditional arrangement known as a genkan. One section is a step lower than the rest of the house and is designed as a space where people leave their outdoor shoes, preventing street dust and dirt from entering the home. The second section is on the same level as the rest of the house. In this part, there may be a small chest of drawers or a niche for displaying a seasonal flower arrangement (ikebana) or a modest piece of art.
All doors, except for the bathroom door, are sliding. This design saves space and serves as a reminder of the time when the entire Japanese home consisted of sliding partitions. Flexible layouts, thanks to such partitions, remain popular today. In a one-story house, all rooms except the bedrooms can be combined into one large space using sliding panels. In two-story Japanese-style homes, the bedrooms are typically located on the second floor, while the first floor may consist of a single open area combining the kitchen, dining room, and living room.
Even in modern homes, the Japanese often prefer to leave one room completely traditional: with tatami mats on the floor and walls covered in rice paper wallpaper. Furniture in a Japanese room is limited to a low table and cushions for seating. This space is perfect not only for tea ceremonies or calligraphy, as one might assume. It is an excellent place for entertaining guests or relaxing in the evening, as sitting or lying on the soft, resilient tatami is very pleasant.
Japanese-Style House in Russia
Building a Japanese-style house in our country requires adapting the Japanese approach and finding suitable solutions that retain the distinctive design while ensuring comfort. “Ideologist” collaborates with leading Japanese architects. Their experience and knowledge will help create the perfect Japanese-style house design, while our expertise will ensure optimal execution. When building a Japanese-style house, cost should not be the decisive factor — authentic solutions require significant investment. However, a Japanese house will reflect your inner world and values, bringing you joy for years to come with its unique atmosphere.