The Way In

Eaves and Gables

Both of these buildings stand close to the eastern shore of the Noto Peninsula.  Although they are not of any great age, they are both traditional in style and thoroughly Japanese in construction and layout.  There is nothing eclectic about them.  While they both follow regional patterns of vernacular architecture they have individual characters.  Their individuality is partly determined by where the main entrance is located relative to the roof.

Although both entrances are off centre, the building standing by a river sports a well defined and decorated entrance to the left of the facade.  The entrance of the other house is located to the right of the facade and is inconspicuous.  It is, however, recessed.  Doing so provides some shelter from rain and snow for those entering and leaving the building.

Despite having a rather characterless entrance, the wall under the gable end of the roof is full of character—the horizontal and vertical elements stand out against the areas of white wall between them and the lean-to at ground level is capped with a tiled roof as are the windows on the upper floor.  All of these features contribute greatly to the character of the building.

The ground floor lean-to is, in fact, a covered veranda, where washing can be hung to dry.  The generous eave of this roof helps to protect the veranda when the glass screens are drawn back to let in some air during the hot humid summer months.  The ground glass in the sliding screens provides some privacy and is augments by more shoji screens covered with paper flanking the rooms behind.

The building by the river, however, relies on the small hip-and-gable roof over the entrance, thus strengthen the character of the whole facade.

There is in fact another entrance to the left of the projecting, grand main entrance.  I can only suppose this side entrance functions as a backdoor, somewhere for the family to come and go as they please.

Both of these houses have shared features as well as exclusive characteristics.  But it is the positioning of their entrances—either under the eaves or under a gable—that is the key to how the plan develops internally.

Bill Tingey Photo © Copyright

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