
- Project: FOO House
- Architect: APOLLO Architects & Associates
- Location: Japan, Yokohama, Kanagawa Perfecture
- Year: 2016
- Area: 189 m2
- Photography: Masao Nishikawa
A Private Residence Framed by Nature and Heritage
FOO House by APOLLO Architects & Associates is a modern two-family residence that delicately balances architectural formality with natural integration. Located on a plateau in Yokohama, this 2,045-square-foot concrete structure is designed for a couple with two children whose passions include gardening and gold craftsmanship.
The project emphasizes the owners’ desire for an East-West blend of aesthetics, merging minimalist Japanese spatial sensibility with Western openness and material tactility.
A Facade of Quiet Strength
The home’s distinctive façade is composed of exposed concrete and timber lattices crafted from Serangan batu wood. This thoughtful combination softens the building’s geometry while creating a rhythmic screen that references both traditional Japanese privacy screens and modernist architecture.
Oriented to the south, the living room enjoys a clear view into a hybrid Japanese-Western garden—establishing a tranquil daily ritual of indoor-outdoor living framed by greenery.
Interior Contrast and Continuity
Inside, FOO House offers a serene interior palette centered on warm solid teak wood used across ceilings and flooring. This material warmth contrasts the expressive rigidity of the concrete structure, forging a visual dialogue that deepens the sensory experience.
Rather than stark minimalism, the architects opted for material harmony and formality, achieving a spatial language that is both elegant and grounded. The architectural expression aligns with the peaceful character of the surrounding townscape.
A Tailored Family Sanctuary
The floor plan reflects the daily rhythms and cultural values of a modern Japanese family while accommodating intergenerational living. Spaces are fluid yet intimate, refined yet comfortable—celebrating personal rituals without compromising visual clarity.
FOO House represents a contemporary domestic prototype: deeply rooted in context, culturally responsive, and timeless in its aesthetic delivery.
