5/2/2024 0 Comments Japanese house designBut there’s no reason not to haul a rocking chair out there if that’s what best suits your mood. To do it old-style, it’s best to have some round woven straw cushions handy so you can sit comfortably on the engawa floor. ![]() Additional shade can be provided by blinds hung from the edge of the eaves. The nicest varieties have thick smooth wooden floorboards that feel cool on hot days. Unlike a typical veranda, an engawa does not have a railing, since it’s intended to be used on the ground floor only. The engawa is a place to sit and talk with neighbors, drink tea, or simply enjoy the garden, taking advantage of shade when it’s hot or sunlight when it’s cool. The key to its magic is the use of large sliding doors that open up the entire length, making movement between the inner rooms and the engawa flow effortlessly. But the engawa is truly a flexible extension of the interior space, at the same level as the interior floor, and sheltered by deep eaves. Many cultures have porches, verandas, or balconies, all of which are outdoor spaces connected to the house. More than just a veranda, the engawa is an extension of living space that connects us to the outdoors that literally lets us breathe. Unlike a typical veranda, the engawa is an area of transition between the interior and the outdoors. Even tiny one-room apartments are unthinkable without a genkan of some sort, often just a small patch of contrasting flooring just inside the entry which tells everyone, “We keep a clean house here!” The genkan can be modern or traditional, country-style or sleekly urban. ![]() Typical appointments include well thought-out furnishings, such as a bench to sit on while putting on or removing shoes, and a cabinet for storing them, as well as pictures and a shelf of some sort for flowers and decorative objects. The genkan is also the first thing visitors see, so care is generally taken to make it an aesthetically pleasing space that demonstrates the character and taste of the occupants. Because traditional Japanese houses had floors raised above the ground level, even today the demarcation between genkan and living space is a step up into a corridor or vestibule. Is it “dirty” because outdoor shoes are worn there, or can outdoor shoes be worn there because it’s “dirty”? That’s probably an unanswerable question. In the mental map all Japanese have of how homes are supposed to work, the genkan is considered a “dirty” zone, more connected to the outdoors than the rooms for living and sleeping further inside. In centuries past, the genkan was usually floored with hard packed clay. The act of removing footwear is what makes it possible to keep the interior floor clean enough to sit and sleep on, and the genkan facilitates that transition in a beautiful and functional way. The genkan is a vestibule where footwear is removed before stepping into the living spaces of the home itself. Those who would like to enjoy the benefits of a similarly clean floor should seriously consider having a genkan. The emphasis placed on keeping the interior of Japanese homes clean and free of outdoor dirt is deeply rooted in the nation’s culture and history. Genkan are part of every modern-style Japanese home as well. They come in various sizes, colors, materials such as aluminum or PVC for durability against weather elements like rainwater damage from typhoons that often hit Japan’s coastal areas during summer months when humidity is high making them an excellent choice for homeowners who want both functionality and style in their homes’ exteriors design scheme.The genkan in a traditional-style home. Horizontal window slats can be adjusted manually or electronically depending on preference and budget constraints. They add a sleek and contemporary look to any house facade. The horizontal orientation of the slats allows for better control over sunlight than traditional vertical blinds or curtains. These slats, also known as louvers or shutters, are typically made of wood and placed on the exterior of windows to provide shade and privacy while still allowing natural light to enter the home.
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