House in Hayashisaki Matsue Beach by Akio Isshiki Architects

A Harmonious Blend of Life, Work, and Culture by the Sea

Akio Isshiki Architects transformed a humble wooden structure near Hayashisaki Matsue Beach into a richly layered, multifunctional residence. Serving simultaneously as a home, an architect’s workspace, and a curry restaurant, the project is a living expression of hybridity—melding traditional Japanese architecture with global inspirations and a contemporary sensibility.

Guided by the concept of “mixed,” the design thoughtfully intertwines diverse dimensions: private and public, cultural heritage and foreign influence, past and present, and natural and built environments. This philosophy shapes every corner of the space, enabling an elegant coexistence of multiple identities within a compact footprint.

Multinational Aesthetic Rooted in Local Craft

The renovation pays tribute to the region’s history, using locally handcrafted tiles from Awaji to finish the dirt floor—a nod to the area’s legacy in tile production. Inspired by lava stone pavements from Central and South America, the tiles' textures introduce a tactile and visual richness. Meanwhile, elements such as mosquito net-inspired blinds, Shoji screens, and Fusuma partitions reference both tropical climates and nostalgic Japanese interiors.

These layers are not merely decorative—they act as spatial devices, gently dividing areas while allowing permeability, light, and airflow. The careful placement of tropical hanging plants furthers this softness, demarcating zones without enclosing them.

Architecture Across Time: A Dialogue of Materials

One of the project’s most poetic dimensions is its interweaving of time. Instead of restoring old materials to appear new or contrasting them sharply with modern insertions, the architect sees each material as a timestamp in a larger continuum. Antique beams coexist with new cypress pillars, while layered Shoji reveal glimpses of vintage figured glass beneath. A door handle purchased during travel—its origin and age unknown—adds a personal, time-traveling touch.

In an evocative gesture, the second-floor wall facing away from the sea is rendered in scraped plaster mixed with red iron oxide—hand-finished by Awaji craftspeople—bringing a vibrant, earth-toned warmth to the interior. The wall echoes Mediterranean and Latin American color palettes, reimagined in a Japanese coastal context.

Spatial Fluidity and Sea-Inspired Calm

Designed to evoke the open generosity of the sea, the interior leads inhabitants and guests toward introspection and calm. A large picture window on the upper floor captures only the sky and ocean, emphasizing simplicity, serenity, and infinite perspective.

Ultimately, the House in Hayashisaki Matsue Beach is more than a renovation—it is a cultural collage, a tactile memoir, and a spatial poem that bridges geography, memory, and identity.

All Photographs are works of Yosuke Ohtake