ELEMENT House Merges Concrete and Walnut in Contemporary Kyoto Design

ByMyProperty Life 04/09/2025

Located in southern Kyoto, Japan, ELEMENT occupies an L-shaped plot of and that required special attention due to its dual street frontages and changing elevations. APOLLO Architects & Associates responded with a composition of concrete features and a massive southern overhang. A dramatic cantilever creates a pilotis garage on the secondary facade. A series of concrete ribs create a rhythmic grid that spans the double-height living space. Within this structural framework, recessed walnut panels introduce a warmth and acoustic softness.

A person sits on a bench in a spacious, modern building featuring large glass windows, exposed concrete walls, and wooden ceilings with natural light streaming in.

Japan’s post-war architecture has long negotiated between modernism’s concrete vernacular and traditional wood craftsmanship. While other architects may have emphasized one over another, APOLLO Architects & Associates created a more cohesive integration. The cedar board impressions in the concrete walls carry forward the textural detail of Japanese wood construction, while the walnut ceiling panels maintain direct material connection to that tradition.

A person sits on a modern sofa in a spacious, minimalist living room with high ceilings, large glass windows, and wooden accents.

Three courtyards punctuate the interior programs, each calibrated to specific functions and lighting conditions. The entrance courtyard offers a gentle welcome, the kitchen courtyard draws natural illumination deep into service areas, and the central courtyard – equipped with a bench and full-opening sliding doors – creates fluid indoor-outdoor connections.

Modern building with large glass windows, exposed concrete, and minimalistic outdoor seating, featuring open courtyard under a clear blue sky.

Modern interior hallway with high wood ceiling, large glass windows, and grey stone walls, featuring a glass balcony and natural light streaming in.

A modern entryway with floor-to-ceiling glass walls, wooden ceiling, tiled floor, and minimalist cabinetry, leading to an outdoor area with visible power lines and blue sky.

The second-floor workspace, visible from the living area below through strategic glazing, introduces vertical layering that enhances the home’s social dynamics. This transparency between work and domestic life reflects the client’s needs of remote work, but avoids the trap of simply inserting office functions into residential space. Instead, the design creates genuine integration where professional activity becomes part of the home’s daily routine.

A modern living room with large windows, minimalist grey furniture, wood ceiling, and an outdoor view; a person sits alone on a bench in sunlight.

Modern living room with glass walls, wooden ceiling, grey flooring, and contemporary sofas, featuring an open, airy layout with ample natural light.

A spacious modern living room with concrete walls, large windows, a sectional sofa, and a person sitting at one end.

Modern living area with floor-to-ceiling glass windows, wood ceiling, concrete walls, and minimalist sofas, seen from an open courtyard at dusk.

Modern living room with large glass windows, minimalist furniture, concrete walls, and a wooden ceiling, illuminated by natural evening light.

Modern building with concrete walls and large glass windows, featuring a wooden ceiling illuminated by warm lights against a deep blue evening sky.

Modern concrete building with large windows situated on a street corner, surrounded by residential houses and overhead power lines under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

View more information about ELEMENT on APOLLO Architects & Associates’ website at apollo-aa.jp.

Photography by Masao Nishikawa.

Leo Lei translates his passion for minimalism into his daily-updated blog Leibal. In addition, you can find uniquely designed minimalist objects and furniture at the Leibal Store.