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Tato Architects Unveils Charred Timber House in Mibu, Japan

architecture-design · 2026-09-22

Tato Architects, situated in Kobe, has finalized the House in Mibu, a 108-square-metre home in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan, designed for a family of five. This residence is positioned in the backyard of the client's parents' property, skillfully balancing "enclosure and openness" while maintaining access to an existing garage. The ground floor is set 500 mm below grade and partially features a sloped green roof, while the first floor extends outward. The exterior is clad in charred cedar planks topped with a corrugated metal roof. Inside, lauan plywood adorns the walls and ceilings. The lower level comprises a sunken area for living, dining, and cooking, whereas the upper floor contains three children's rooms and a bedroom surrounding a raised loft.

Key facts

  • Tato Architects completed House in Mibu in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan.
  • The 108-square-metre home was designed for a couple and their three children.
  • It is located in the backyard of the client's parental home in the town of Mibu.
  • The ground floor is sunk 500 millimetres below ground and partially topped with a sloped green roof.
  • The first floor overhangs on one side to balance enclosure and openness.
  • The exterior is clad in charred cedar planks with a corrugated metal roof.
  • Interiors are lined entirely in lauan plywood, chosen by Yo Shimada to age gracefully.
  • The design references Aldo van Eyck's concept of the 'in-between'.

Entities

Artists

  • Yo Shimada
  • Aldo van Eyck
  • Nobuhiko Sato
  • Yohei Uchino
  • Takashi Manda
  • Moeka Magari
  • Hideki Oda
  • DAICI ANO
  • Christina Vergopoulou

Institutions

  • Tato Architects
  • Dezeen
  • tmsd Takashi Manda
  • designboom

Locations

  • Mibu
  • Tochigi Prefecture
  • Japan
  • Kobe
  • Kyoto

Sources