Japan House by Sandbox Studio Features Contemporary Japonisme Design

Japan House by Sandbox Studio is a pavilion addition that enhances a 1920s Californian bungalow in Sydney, Australia, designed in 2023. The project emphasizes Japan-inspired design elements, blending natural materials, light, and landscape. It provides a private domain through a series of interconnected rooms, including Tatami and kitchen spaces.

A modern, open-concept home with a wooden exterior and large windows overlooking a grassy yard.
Inspired by Japanese design principles, Japan House is a finely crafted pavilion addition to a 1920s Californian Bungalow on Sydney’s lower north shore – a refined structure that skilfully entwines natural materials, light and landscape.
Modern wooden structure with covered patio and sliding glass doors, surrounded by lush greenery.
The clients approached Sandbox Studio with a desire to increase the scale and amenity of their living spaces, while drawing on passive design principles to heat and cool the home. Although building a second storey was an obvious solution, Sandbox Studio conceived the addition as a low-lying singular structure to the rear – an exercise in building less but building with intention.
Modern open-plan living space with black exposed beams, wood flooring, and sleek furnishings.

The homeowners’ strong connection to Japan became a driving influence in the design, which reworks traditional Japanese references with a contemporary hand. Designed as a series of interconnected rooms, the addition is linked to the old home by a reflection pond and Genkan entry.
A spacious room with minimalistic Japanese-style sliding doors, wooden floors, and large windows overlooking a lush garden.
Slender proportions allow the new architecture to recede visually from the streetscape, delivering a private domain for the young family.
A modern interior with large windows, wooden floors, and a tranquil indoor pond.
While the new kitchen, dining, office, bathroom and Tatami room occupy discreet volumes, sightlines and permeable interfaces lend flexibility to the floorplan, enhancing the sense of scale. The Tatami room’s shoji screen doors allow the space to be closed as a private retreat and guest room or opened as an extension of the living space. Similarly, broad retractable doors unite the living room with the rear garden, obscuring the distinction between inside and out, and encouraging the family to live amongst the landscape.
Spacious modern kitchen with sleek black windows, wood island, and dramatic lighting.

In line with the key tenets of sustainable design, Japan House effectively reduces the homeowners’ carbon footprint while enhancing liveability. An angled roof draws northern sunlight deep into the home, celebrating the changing sun patterns throughout the day. Deep eaves, quality insulation and double-glazed windows and doors create efficient thermal protection, while highlight windows and ceiling fans allow heat to escape in warm weather. The home’s central reflection pond improves natural ventilation, with operable windows allowing for cooling cross breezes.
Minimalist dining area with modern furniture, pendant light, and lush plant decor.
The architecture’s mellow cedar cladding creates warmth and tactility, contrasted by the graphic articulation of black steel framing and trims. Internally, a minimalist palette of crisp white, charcoal greys and timber finishes create an enduring yet contemporary feel, softened by the tranquillity of the reflection pond, and lush tones of the landscape.
Modern bathroom with gray tile, sliding glass doors, and a potted plant on the counter.
The builder, sharing the clients’ Japanese heritage, was meticulous with details, crafting an authentic and high-quality built outcome. Harmoniously balancing natural light, ventilation and an identity-driven design sensibility, Japan House elevates the wellbeing of its growing family; a place to connect, unwind and dwell.
Well-maintained suburban residence with brick exterior, peaked roof, and lush landscaping.
Well-maintained brick bungalow with prominent roof and inviting porch entrance.

Photography by Katherine Lu
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- by Matt Watts

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