Architecture

A Mellifluous Narrative

November 23, 2021

While the distinctive narrative of Japanese design has evolved over time to keep up with people and technology that have become significantly advanced, many of the maxims held and practiced by the Japanese have remained the same. The Japanese architecture – that has influenced architectural design throughout the world – still holds deep respect for nature and a reverence for natural resources.

Cubo Design founded by Hitoshi Saruta in 2004 is a firm that holds true to these principals which are administered in every project. A man of few words, Hitoshi explained that his firm, run by a small but skilled and experienced personnel focuses on architectural design and interior design for residential, commercial, and showhouses.

“We aim to create structures and spaces with a strong contrast of light and shadows, which add beauty and sustainability for years to come. We focus not only on versatility, but on how to appeal to one’s visual senseand evoke thought,” said Hitoshi pensively. As Japan is a nation that is famed for paying homage to nature and its resources, Hitoshi often finds himself looking to nature to inspire his design ethos.

Over the course of sixteen years, Cubo Design has been commissioned for many projects but two that stands out to Hitoshi are T3 and cnest as the former is a work that follows traditional Japanese design while blending Western elements and the latter is his own house, which was a challenging task that took many years to complete.

T3 is a house for a couple of French artist and his Japanese wife who are very interested in the aesthetics of Japanese garden, culture and architecture. The house nestled quietly on a hilltop in Kamakura (a historic ancient city in Japan) overlooks the Shonan coastline and faces Mount Fuji, in the distance. In addition to the home being a comfortable space for them, they also wanted the house to serve as a space where visitors could come over and feast on this architecture marvel. The facade facing the street is completely covered to emphasize privacy while the areas that face the spellbinding landscape is left open.

The architectural layout makes it possible to focus on the majestic nature and wonderful scenery. One of characteristic of Japanese architecture that represents the Sukiya concept is beauty of continuous eaves, which also functions to cut rain and direct sunlight. Cubo Design designed the traditional continuous eaves in a modern way by making it sharp and thin in details as well as using new material such as steel plate in structure and finish.

The cnest on the others hand is a unique project with an elevation gap of 14 meters, and an inclination of 70 degrees to give occupants a view of the phenomenal sight of the horizon. The design of the structures was drafted with the image of several floating wooden boxes hanging from zelkova and maple trees, and upon entering the premise, this immediately captures the attention. With the underground housing the basement, the openings allow sunlight to enter and softly illuminate the room, which emphasizes the contrast and graduation of light and shadows.

This residence appeals strongly to the eyes and truly embraces the concept of nature and natural light throughout the building. cnest can be considered the perfect combination of Civil Engineering and Architectural Development. 

Through these projects, it is hoped these hybrids of Japanese modern design make integration with site, nature and deep exchange with people who visit this place.

For more information please visit www.cubod.com

Ar Hitoshi Saruta  

Born in Nagano, Japan in 1971, Hitoshi Saruta enrolled in the Faculty of Business Administration at Yokohama National University, before deciding to be an apprentice carpenter at a construction shop for three years. Later, he worked at a design firm managing the construction of houses and shops and studied architecture on his own. In March 2004, the award-winning architect founded CUBO design architect.

AFTER HOURS

What’s your poison?
I love Beer
Favourite hangout spot?
Camping with family & golfing with friends.
The place to go for authentic local cuisine?
My hometown is Nagano prefecture in Japan,so I often
eat in Nagano.

THE JETSETTER

Most memorable stay?
Four Seasons Resort, Bali
Biggest splurge?
The construction of my house in Kanagawa, Japan
Your holiday fashion?
Shirt, Bermuda shorts, and sneakers