Blackened timber retreat by Studio Aula built in the woods outside Tokyo
Lengths of black-painted timber clad this single-storey holiday home in Japan by Studio Aula, which steps across a wooded site in three volumes of increasing sizes (+ slideshow).
![Mukawa House by Studio Aula](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/Mukawa-House-by-Studio-Aula_dezeen_468_2.jpg)
Japanese firm Studio Aula designed the small timber bungalow, called Mukawa House, as a weekend home for a client who commutes to a job in Tokyo.
The one-bedroom retreat is situated on a small hill overlooking a forest and two nearby mountain ranges in Hokuto, Yamanashi Prefecture.
![Mukawa House by Studio Aula](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/Mukawa-House-by-Studio-Aula_dezeen_468_3.jpg)
High-level windows are positioned at the front of the property, while large sections of glazing along the lower edge of the building's rear take advantage of mountainous views.
![Mukawa House by Studio Aula](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/Mukawa-House-by-Studio-Aula_dezeen_468_0.jpg)
"The premise is of a perfect scenic beauty," said the architects, who has also designed a house with a pale timber latticed ceiling in Shiojiri. "We created a few spots where the scenery visually breaks into the house in a sequence."
![Mukawa House by Studio Aula](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/Mukawa-House-by-Studio-Aula_dezeen_468_7.jpg)
Living space is divided across three interconnected volumes, each with its own entrance.
![Mukawa House by Studio Aula](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/Mukawa-House-by-Studio-Aula_dezeen_468_9.jpg)
A layer of light grey gravel ramped around the perimeter of the property blends a step up to the primary entrance, under a porch supported on three slim black columns.
![Mukawa House by Studio Aula](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/Mukawa-House-by-Studio-Aula_dezeen_468_10.jpg)
Pale timber doors that contrast the black facade slide open to lead into the building. Directly inside, white closets are built into the walls and there is also a large picture window directly in front.
![Mukawa House by Studio Aula](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/Mukawa-House-by-Studio-Aula_dezeen_468_13.jpg)
A wooden platform below the window – made from black-painted native Paulownia wood – forms a seating area and walkway that continues through the space, linking the three split-level floors.
![Mukawa House by Studio Aula](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/Mukawa-House-by-Studio-Aula_dezeen_468_21.jpg)
To the left of the entrance, a step up leads to a narrow corridor with black floorboards, and a bedroom and bathroom.
![Mukawa House by Studio Aula](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/Mukawa-House-by-Studio-Aula_dezeen_468_19.jpg)
In the bedroom, the walls are painted white and a bed with a thick black headboard is positioned against a high-level window.
![Mukawa House by Studio Aula](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/Mukawa-House-by-Studio-Aula_dezeen_468_20.jpg)
The bathroom next door, which has white fittings and a black tiled floor, is divided into wet and dry areas by a large glass door. A white bath tub is sunken into the dark floor, beside a large window that faces out to a bank of ferns.
![Mukawa House by Studio Aula](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/Mukawa-House-by-Studio-Aula_dezeen_468_1.jpg)
On the other side of the main entrance, the walkway leads to an open-plan kitchen and dining area with black floorboards and accents of natural wood in the form of furniture and door frames.
![Mukawa House by Studio Aula](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/Mukawa-House-by-Studio-Aula_dezeen_468_4.jpg)
A white island in the kitchen sits on a patch of white tiled flooring, with white storage areas and appliances to the rear, in an otherwise entirely black timber-clad space.
![Mukawa House by Studio Aula](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/Mukawa-House-by-Studio-Aula_dezeen_468_5.jpg)
Glass doors in a small inlet between the kitchen and the dining area create an alternative entrance point, while a set of wood-framed double doors at the end of the dining space lead to a larger porch with integrated seating.
Photography is by Ippei Shinzawa
![Mukawa House by Studio Aula](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/Mukawa-House-by-Studio-Aula_dezeen_1.gif)
![Mukawa House by Studio Aula](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/Mukawa-House-by-Studio-Aula_dezeen_2.gif)
![Mukawa House by Studio Aula](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/Mukawa-House-by-Studio-Aula_dezeen_3.gif)