The Appeal of Traditional Japanese Aesthetics
In recent years, there's been growing interest in Australia in traditional Japanese spaces and the materials that shape them. Think of tatami rooms and futons, the soft transition between indoors and outdoors via the engawa, the way light filters through shoji screens, or how fusuma partitions gently divide space without completely closing it off. More and more people are drawn to these elements and want to incorporate that quiet beauty into their own living spaces.
We touched on commercial projects like restaurants in our previous post (→ Vol.4), but this time, we’ll share some residential examples as well.
View from a room at a traditional inn in Yoshino, Nara
Custom-Made with Traditional Materials
We primarily work with traditional Japanese interior materials—tatami, hand-crafted washi paper, intricate kumiko woodwork, and single-slab hinoki wood. These materials are more than just decoration; they add depth and atmosphere, bringing comfort to space.
Australia, as a relatively young country just over 100 years old, doesn’t have a deep-rooted culture of craftsmanship. Labor laws and work practices also limit the production of traditional handmade materials. That’s why Japanese artisan-made products—meticulously crafted and high in quality—are often received with real admiration.
Ikazaki Shachu, a washi paper manufacturer in Uchiko, Ehime
Japanese wood has been drawing particular attention as an interior material. It's popular not only in commercial spaces but also in private homes, thanks to its beautiful grain and rich aroma, which bring warmth to any space. More and more projects are blending modern design with traditional Japanese aesthetics to create a sense of harmony.
One standout project involved a private residence in Sydney’s Palm Beach. The client requested a custom kumiko panel that would reflect the local landscape and bring a natural, calming feel to the bedroom. This custom project using kumiko woodwork was more like creating a one-of-a-kind piece of art. There was no single “right” outcome—just an ongoing dialogue with the client. They’d say things like, “Can we let in a bit more light here?” and we’d make adjustments. After several rounds of revisions, the piece finally came together.
Panel design using kumiko woodwork
Craftsmanship That Reflects a View of Nature
As we shared in (→Vol.2), craftsmanship is central to what we do. And in space design, too, people are looking for materials with a human story behind them.
It's not just about the quality or how something is made—clients are drawn to the intentions and values of the maker, and the local culture that shaped them. More than function or appearance, they want to feel a kind of awareness or spirit in the materials they live with.
That’s why we value open communication throughout the project, helping both the maker’s intention and the user’s vision come through. Solid hinoki beams, single-slab posts, and even charcoal traditionally used in tea ceremonies are all popular choices. In Japan, forestry is managed with future generations in mind—trees are planted and harvested slowly and thoughtfully. This mindset of living in harmony with nature is woven into the materials themselves, and people here seem to sense and appreciate that.
Wooden barrel making in Shiga Prefecture
Sustainability at the Core
Today, the mainstream building industry relies on mass production and mass disposal. Products are made by machines, discarded if unsold, and remade again—generating massive industrial waste. In contrast, the makers we work with—of washi, bamboo, ceramic tiles—use local materials and only produce what’s been ordered. It’s a production model that naturally creates almost no waste. While this sometimes means higher costs and a lead time of about three months, most clients don’t see that as a drawback. They value the ability to order exactly what they need, to customize for their space, and to feel confident in the safety and sustainability of the materials.
We’re often asked things like, “Is the factory solar-powered?” or “Where does the water used in production come from?” Many of our clients are deeply conscious of environmental impact.
The idea of "sustainability" is no longer new; in Australia, especially in architecture, it has become a natural and essential consideration. In this context, traditional Japanese materials are gaining popularity because they naturally align with these values.
Text & Edit by Yu Ikeo
Translation by Soah Yun