Japan Living: Form & Function at the Cutting Edge

A stunning exploration of Japanese interior design and residential architecture.

Japan Living presents thirty exceptional houses that transcend function and resonate with spirit. Chosen for their inspiring and innovative designs, these homes are special places to dream in. The owners and architects, working as collaborative teams, have created spaces that are quintessentially Japanese.

Crisp, sharp, transparent and light—these designs represent a remarkable burst of creativity in contemporary Japanese residential architecture. Many reflect shifts in the dynamics of Japanese society, while others celebrate self-expression and individuality. All are marked by a return to traditional Japanese materials and design elements, married with present-day requirements such as flexibility, modern kitchens and bathrooms, energy efficiency and thoughtful use of technology.

Geeta K. Mehta teaches architecture and urban design at Columbia University in New York. A resident of Japan for 23 years, she is a partner in the firm of Braden and Mehta, and has designed projects in the USA, Japan, India, Vietnam, and Indonesia. Educated at the University of Tokyo, Columbia University, and SPA in Delhi, she is the co-author of several books, including Japan Style, Japan Houses, Japanese Gardens, and New Japan Architecture, all published by Tuttle Publishing.

The photographs in Japan Living were specially taken by three talented photographers from Nacasa & Partners Inc. (www.nacasa.co.jp), Japan's foremost architectural photography studio established by Nakasa Takeshi in 1989. The studio's work is featured in the book Japan House (Tuttle Publishing) and international journals such as Interiors, Domus, Frame, Ambiente and Blue Print. Shigeta Satoshi, from Yokohama, graduated from the Tokyo Photographic Institute. Chiba-born Torimura Koichi is a graduate of Meiji University with an architectural degree. Yano Toshiyuki, a graduate of Kyorin University, was born in Kanagawa.