A genkan is a traditional Japanese entryway for a house. It is the place to take off and leave your shoes before entering the main part of the home. The genkan is usually one step lower than the main level and is a transitional space which can sometimes be closed off from the rest of the house. In Japanese culture there is also a place to store your shoes called a getabako.
Modern Genkan
This week I received an email from one of our clients which referenced a genkan: “I’m imagining something slightly Japanese, where perhaps there’s a sliding door between the foyer and the great room. In Japan, they call such an area a ‘genkan’ – You might have known that, but I didn’t…”
Well, I had no idea what a genkan is… Thanks to pinterest and google (and our client), I’m now familiar. In researching further, we found many beautifully designed, modern genkan spaces to use as inspiration for our project. For me the transitional aspect of the genkan is the most intriguing so I’ve included plans with a couple of the images below as well…
Learning something new – especially about design – is always fun! (We love great clients!!)
“A traditional genkan (a Japanese entryway) was part of the architectural program early on. Shoes are removed before entering the main living space, which is elevated six inches above the floor level of the entryway.” – from Dwell. Architect: CCS Architecture, photo by Joe Fletcher Photography.
House In Gankaiji by Nakasai Architects, more info here from ArchDaily. Photographs from Syouichi Uchiyama
House with Futokoro, Mizuishi Architects Atelier, photographs courtesy of Mizuishi Architects Atelier. More info here from ArchDaily.
Onjuku Surf Shack, Bakoko Architects – “The entrance to this contemporary coastal home is tucked inside a traditional Japanese genkan: a porch where residents can take off their shoes and leave the sand of a well spent day on the beach.” (text from busyboo: Coastal Homes: Japanese Architecture)
Modern Genkan: This beautiful Japanese entryway was found here.
Also, for a pretty hilarious take on “Rules of the genkan,” read Amy Chavez’s article in The Japan Times.
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