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Naoto Tamaki is an architect based in Gifu who works mainly on projects within the Tokai area. His design office, GA architect office, started in 1999 and 70 percent of its projects are housing design. The number of houses he has designed are more than 200. The houses he designs are simple and functional based on the client’s lifestyle and give the impression of ease and gentleness because of the materials he carefully choses from many areas. He carefully considers the client’s lifestyle and needs and does not force his plan into being a certain shape and keeps it from becoming too decorative. His designs flow naturally. In all his designs, the common theme is to incorporate nature. One approach is creating an earth floor or courtyard. He especially likes to create a courtyard surrounded by walls, which makes the house spacious without compromising on outdoor space. An earth floor created between the courtyard and living room is considered an intermediate space which gently connects the interior and exterior and has multiple functions. He tries to make earth floors not only as a functional or design oriented space but also a space that enriches everyday life, like having a wooden stove to enjoy a fire. The material he always uses is tile, and he especially likes natural and soft touch tiles from tile brand BASE from Nagoya, which creates original tiles. The handmade tiles add texture to the walls and becomes the focal point. Recently, he is challenging himself by using other materials like natural stones, thereby further raising the quality of his interior designs.

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