Tatami House
A striking modern design on a corner lot by architect Randy Bens has all the features you would want to see. Architectural Concrete, Metal, and Wood cladding are just a few of the many elements that required exquisite detailing and forethought. The clients have drawn a lot of inspiration from their time spent in Japan. Many features of the home were inspired by this refined culture including the interior and exterior gardens, Tatami Room, spa areas and custom handcrafted Japanese doors. Other features include a home gym, expansive covered and heated patio, as well as an adjacent Laneway home with complimentary finishes.
Showing Off
The beautiful exterior includes custom aluminum metal sun shade louvers and floor to ceiling European curtain wall glazing.
Allowing Light
The geometry of the windows in combination with the shape of the stairs allows lots of natural light to enter the space. The custom steel stair guard filters the light as it passes from the main floor all the way through the floor system and creates the guard and handrail for the floor above.
Western Red Cedar was run at a local mill in two different widths and custom stained off site for better long term performance. The wider boards were stained darker and installed horizontally. The narrower boards were stained lighter and run vertically and also used as soffit. Metal infill panels were used between the windows to match the aluminium window frames and adjacent metal flashings.
Custom vertical metal louvres were designed to allow movement if the building ‘flexes’. Hollow square tube aluminum was used to make them durable and light. They provide privacy, shade and refinement to the north and south facing facades of the home.
The spa room on the lower floor includes a very large hot tub, dry sauna, shower and separate bath. The walls were clad in large format porcelain tile and fluted composite cladding that is resistant to moisture. A custom vertically cut basalt stone was strategically placed on the outside of the window and includes an up light from the centre. Moss was planted to grow in around the rock and concrete window well.
5 uniform light tunnels were strategically placed and finished with exquisite precision near the front entry and above the main floor living room. The natural light is a welcome feature during Vancouver’s winter months. The walnut cabinet was designed to discreetly hide a TV and provide storage for all the things a family with young kids needs ready but not on display.
Full Exposure
The primary bedroom and bathroom are positioned on the top floor to allow lots of natural light through floor to ceiling windows. A custom White Oak screen creates a stunning headboard over a raised bed platform and doubles as a room divider to the adjacent walk through closet. The screen wraps up and over the bed and sits flush with the white ceiling frame.
Pockets in the ceiling were detailed for the electronic roller blinds and recessed lighting and curtain channel.
Dedicated Space
The lower floor has a dedicated Tatami Room that is ideal for meditating or unplugging from the busy outside world. The outdoor patio beyond the floor to ceiling sliding glass doors is home to a beautiful Japanese themed garden with a very unique boulder positioned in the middle of curated moss, plantings and outdoor lighting.
The feature of the space is the Kumiko screen doors which are handcrafted by a Japanese master craftsman using only his traditional tools. No glue, no nails.