TASTEFUL DESIGN
This residence is for a couple - a chef and a farmer. Conceived with a chef's penchant for economy of palette, the simple massing is clad exclusively in shou sugi ban wood. Shou sugi ban is a Japanese technique that involves "pre-burning" wood, and the process causes the wood to develop both fire-resistance and a beautiful, fragrant char. Articulations in the massing at the two entry doors are garnished with a pop of color - we use the same shou sugi ban wood that clads the majority of the house here, but the charring process is conducted differently to create a lighter finish.
While the home will primarily serve as a residence, the chef and farmer will also use the kitchen to film collaborative cooking videos for short films and social media content. As such, it was essential to design this space for its function as both a home kitchen and a working set. The material selections are clean and crisp, a blank backdrop that allows the food to be the star. Top-of-the-line appliances were selected, and the layout was carefully developed to best support a very intensive and involved cooking process.
