A Japanese-Inspired House in Colombia With A Tranquil Design

This is a home imagined as a tranquil sanctuary, a serene and perfectly balanced space where everything is in harmony with itself and the surroundings. We’re looking at a house that was remodeled in 2020 by studio Cinco Sólidos. It occupies a piece of land in Rionegro, Colombia and, as you can see, it doesn’t really fit the local vernacular nor does it pretend to. 

The house as a whole was conceived as a sanctuary, a tranquil place in harmony with its surroundings
The house as a whole was conceived as a sanctuary, a tranquil place in harmony with its surroundings

That’s because its design was inspired by the owner’s trip to Japan which revealed the beauty of living in harmony with one another and one’s surroundings. As a result, the recent remodel aimed to transform the existing house into such a space. The original layout were kept intact and the project was developed in two phases. The first one was to tackle the interior and the second one was aimed at the outdoor areas. 

The relationship between the house and its natural surroundings is one based on harmony and respect
The relationship between the house and its natural surroundings is one based on harmony and respect
The transition from inside the house to the open deck is a smooth one thanks to the use of wood as a flooring material
The transition from inside the house to the open deck is a smooth one thanks to the use of wood as a flooring material
The pool is structured on two levels and the lower one has a lovely little pier
The pool is structured on two levels and the lower one has a lovely little pier
The tall roof creates a feeling of openness and lets in addition sunlight
The tall roof creates a feeling of openness and lets in addition sunlight

The house is structured into two main volumes which are perpendicular to one another. This creates a nice division between the public and the private spaces but also means that the house as a whole is well-balanced and coherent. The two volumes have a long corridor going across which connects all the different areas. It’s lined in wood and it takes advantage of the natural sunlight to create a very welcoming and comfortable ambiance inside which in turn extends to all the other spaces adjacent to the corridor. 

The interior makes use of wood as a primary material and has a very pure and simple aesthetic
The interior makes use of wood as a primary material and has a very pure and simple aesthetic
The interior design has Japanese and Scandinavian influences, both based on simplicity
The interior design has Japanese and Scandinavian influences, both based on simplicity

The tall pitched roof gives a feeling of space and brings in more additional sunlight. Outside, the living areas open onto a large wooden terrace which lines a swimming pool. There’s lots of trees framing the deck, the pool and the house itself and this creates a wonderful feeling of immersion into nature. An outdoor kitchen is positioned parallel to the indoor one, leaving the rest of the deck open. The deck frames the pool and continues on a lower level where a gorgeous fire pit seating area is positioned on one side and al fresco dining area on the other. 

A minimalist wooden corridor connects the interior spaces and runs across the entire house
A minimalist wooden corridor connects the interior spaces and runs across the entire house
A minimalist approach with Japanese design accents gives this bedroom a very relaxing and calming ambiance
A minimalist approach with Japanese design accents gives this bedroom a very relaxing and calming ambiance
The lighting throughout the house is warm and soft which helps to create a soothing atmosphere
The lighting throughout the house is warm and soft which helps to create a soothing atmosphere
A large closet/ dressing room features walls lined with shelves as well as a central island
A large closet/ dressing room features walls lined with shelves as well as a central island
The bathroom has large windows that expose it to the outdoors and that bring in lots of natural sunlight
The bathroom has large windows that expose it to the outdoors and that bring in lots of natural sunlight
The neutral and earthy colors and materials give this area a modern but also zen and relaxing look
The neutral and earthy colors and materials give this area a modern but also zen and relaxing look
The second phase of the project was focused on the outdoor layout which includes a series of spaces placed around the pool
The second phase of the project was focused on the outdoor layout which includes a series of spaces placed around the pool