KITA HOUSE 旧喜多源逸邸

texts & images by Siwei Huang

The Kita House is one of the few accessible Koji Fujii‘s design within Kyoto. He designed this two-story family home for his longtime friend, Kita Gennitsu. It's a residential masterpiece where Japanese tradition seamlessly intertwines with Western modernism.

Throughout Fujii's career, he rarely ventured into residences spanning two stories, given Japan's turbulent weather patterns. In a country prone to typhoons, structures with upper-level glass or wooden elements bear the brunt of nature's fury during the typhoon season. However, the Kita House stands out as a remarkable example, driven by its owner Kita's desire for a second-floor vantage point to witness the grandeur of the Gozan no Okuribi, Kyoto's renowned bonfire event, where the Daimonji Yama is illuminated with flaming kanji characters.

Built in 1926, just two years before the Chochikukyo, Kita House shares several resemblances to its architectural counterpart.aThis design choice enables a seamless coexistence between elder family members, who adhere to traditional Japanese living and prefer sitting on tatami mats, and the younger generation, who have embraced Western lifestyles and are comfortable sitting on chairs. This setup allows for conversations where everyone can maintain eye contact at the same level.

Presently, Kita House serves as the abode for a family of three: American husband William, Japanese wife Chisa, and their lovely son. The ground floor serves as their gallery too, the Relevant Object Gallery, showcasing an array of mid-century modern designs, including Poul Kjaerholm's chairs and side tables, George Nakashima's rockers, Poul Henningsen's pendants, and more.