Toca House

Topeka, Kansas, founded in 1854, boasts a rich architectural heritage shaped by prominent historical figures who chose the city as their home. Through dedicated preservation efforts, several of these historically significant buildings, ranging from elaborate family residences to unique structures, continue to stand today. This article highlights three such landmarks: the Dillon House, the Anton-Woodring House, and Matrot Castle. The Dillon House, located at 404 S.W. 9th St., was constructed in 1911 by attorney Hiram Price Dillon in an Italian Renaissance style. Dillon, who made his wealth in Europe, settled in Topeka with his musician wife, Susie. Despite his affluence, he viewed his home as modest compared to others of its era. The house took three years to build and is renowned for its exceptional craftsmanship and materials. Its exterior features stone, brick, and clay tile, with lion statuary at the entrance and 48 lion images integrated throughout the structure, referencing the name 'Dalian' which translates to 'lion.' Other intricate details include a Greek god Hermes carving above the door, strong male figures flanking the grand hall fireplace made of marble and cast stone, and European stained glass windows lining the main staircase. Dillon's library features built-in bookshelves, stained wood wainscot, a green tiled fireplace with a Shakespearean quote, and stained glass windows depicting publishers' marks and literary figures. A leaded, stained glass series illustrates scenes from Lord Tennyson's 'The Idylls of the King.' The west wing originally housed separate music and dining rooms, now combined for events. Susie Dillon's gold-gilded piano, 'Goldie,' is also on display. The Dillons were known for their hospitality and philanthropy, anonymously fulfilling children's Santa wish lists and funding Auburn's first multi-racial swimming pool. Even their servants were treated well, with individual closets in their third-floor quarters, which also included a laundry room and Hiram's art gallery. The house was purchased by Ross Freeman of the Pioneer Group when it was in disrepair. A $5.5 million, three-year restoration protected its original stained glass and light fixtures. Today, it serves as an event space and houses the Dillon House staff and Pioneer Group offices. The Anton-Woodring House at 1011 S.W. Cambridge Ave., built in 1926 by Frederick Anton, founder of the Topeka Tent and Awning Company, showcases a blend of 20th-century Revival, Italian Renaissance, and Colonial styles with prairie accents. Anton, who prospered from awning improvements and WWII military contracts, commissioned architect Ralph Scamell. The property, originally named Terrace Lake, featured elaborate Italian-inspired gardens with stone, balustrades, a gazebo, and a formal reflecting pool, though the lake was filled in during the 1950s. Harry H. Woodring, the 25th Governor of Kansas and Secretary of War under President Franklin Roosevelt, bought the house in 1942 after being dismissed by Roosevelt. A personal tragedy struck Woodring when his son, Marcus, died of polio in 1946, leading him to abandon his re-election campaign. A political opponent, Charlie Rooney, built eight post-war houses on the adjacent land, replacing Woodring's front yard. The house later functioned as an office building before falling into disrepair and facing demolition. Don and Janet Chubb purchased the house in 1988 with a goal to restore it. The restoration, completed after 30 years, preserved the original architecture, including 13-foot ceilings with molded plaster, four fireplaces, and large windows overlooking the restored gardens. Woodring's library, located between the first and second floors, features African walnut paneling, a marble fireplace, and built-in bookcases, despite a past fire. The house has been associated with ghost stories, with former employees and tour participants reporting unusual occurrences, particularly in Marcus Woodring's former bedroom. However, the Chubbs dismiss the folklore, inviting visitors to appreciate the architecture and gardens, where several couples have become engaged. Matrot Castle, situated at 6424 S.W. Huntoon St., was built in 1883 by Seraphim Matrot, a French refugee who fled the Franco-Prussian War due to his socialist views. Matrot, an architect and contractor, constructed the 19th-century French Normandy-style castle with foot-thick walls and gun slits in turrets for defense, seeking safety as far inland as possible. The front door features a French fleur-de-lis molding with a concealed keyhole. Inside, the castle incorporates large open rooms flanked by smaller turret rooms across three stories, a spiral staircase, and a large wine cellar. The wine cellar served as a safe room with an underground escape tunnel. Matrot's plans to enter the wine business were thwarted by Kansas's 1881 Prohibition law. He died in 1898, and folklore suggests his coffin was lowered through a removed window due to the spiral staircase. Over time, modern amenities such as central air, electricity, plumbing, and a kitchen were added. A significant renovation in November 2004 involved brick and mortar work and the addition of grape arbors, while preserving the interior's period style and the structural exterior. The Kansas Heritage Foundation recently acquired Matrot Castle, intending to use it for charity events supporting educational initiatives, particularly international education. Davenport Winery uses the wine cellar as an outlet for its products on Saturdays. While the castle is currently closed to the public, the winery provides an opportunity to view the exterior and wine cellar. Clint Whitney, president of Midwest Management Group, hopes to further develop the property for weddings and events, recognizing its unique character and historical value as an asset for Topeka. #TopekaHistory #HistoricHomes #ArchitecturalPreservation #DillonHouse #AntonWoodringHouse #MatrotCastle #KansasArchitecture #HomeRestoration #LandmarkBuildings

The article explores the interior design and overall concept of the Japanese reality show “Terrace House,” which has gained significant global popularity through Netflix. It differentiates the show from typical Western reality TV, characterizing it as wholesome yet nuanced, with unscripted drama and a slow build. The premise involves six housemates (three men and three women) living together in a titular 'Terrace House' while continuing their daily lives, jobs, and social activities, often seeking romantic relationships and forming friendships. A panel of commentators periodically provides humorous interjections throughout each episode. A key focus of the article is the house itself, which is presented as a central element of the show's appeal. The three seasons available on Netflix are set in different locations: Tokyo, Honolulu, and Karuizawa. The current season, "Terrace House: Opening New Doors," features a large, cabin-like house in Karuizawa. The author contacted the show's production team, including Hiroaki Takasuna Takapuna of Takapuna Design Office and Shunsuke Okutani of Nouvelle Vague Co., Ltd., to understand the design philosophy behind this particular setting. The designers explain that the house is intended to be aspirational, offering a living space that is slightly beyond what young adults might typically achieve. The interior design of the Karuizawa house incorporates rustic elements, such as natural wood and sheepskin, blended with mid-century and contemporary furniture. Features include a spacious kitchen for communal cooking, a large living area with comfortable seating, well-organized bedrooms, and an onsen-style bathroom. The design aims to create an atmosphere distinct from everyday life, promoting a sense of well-being. The bedrooms are designed to be toned-down, providing a neutral canvas for the housemates' personalities. Men's and women's rooms have distinct styles; the women's room features more natural light and common seating, while the men's room has a cabin-like feel with wood paneling. The design also considers the practicalities of filming, aiming to facilitate camera angles that capture housemates' interactions and movements. A dedicated playroom, characterized by a large green sofa, is intentionally designed as a private space for intimate conversations, emotional exchanges, and relaxation, with low, indirect lighting contributing to a warm ambiance. Finally, the house's design in Karuizawa emphasizes its natural surroundings. The rural setting, with its changing seasons, influences the housemates' activities, such as snowboarding and visiting local attractions. The design team intentionally integrated the natural environment into the house's aesthetic, noting how elements like wood, keys, greenery, snow, and light on the wooden deck are charmingly captured on camera. As the show progresses, the opening sequences reflect both the changing house members and the seasonal transformations of the landscape, highlighting the house's role as a comforting and dynamic space for new experiences and evolving relationships. #TerraceHouse #JapaneseRealityTV #InteriorDesign #CoLiving #Karuizawa #NetflixShow #HomeAesthetics #RoomDesign #RealityTV

Takeshi Hosaka Architects designed Kaku-Kaku Kanadel, a courtyard house in Tokyo, Japan, specifically for a family of three who are all practicing artists. This residence is intended to provide a harmonious balance between individual creative spaces and communal living areas, fostering an environment conducive to both private artistic endeavors and shared family life. The architectural design comprises four distinct, interconnected volumes, each characterized by a unique roof form. This configuration creates a small, village-like arrangement, with the volumes linked by a series of gardens, terraces, and passageways. This layout establishes a network of outdoor and semi-outdoor spaces, promoting both separation for individual work and opportunities for social interaction, reminiscent of traditional alleys and courtyards. The spatial organization ensures that each family member has a dedicated wing tailored to their artistic discipline: one for scriptwriting, one for illustration, and one for musical practice. A central living room serves as the focal point of the house, designed as a shared gathering area for the family. The architectural team carefully planned the layout to facilitate simultaneous activities across the different wings while maintaining visual and spatial connectivity through the strategically placed open courtyards and terraces. This design philosophy allows for a dynamic interplay between privacy and openness, catering to the diverse needs of the artist family. The project's name, "Kaku-Kaku Kanadel," is derived from Japanese words that directly reflect the family's artistic pursuits. "Kaku" (書く) means "to write," "kaku" (描く) means "to draw," and "kanadel" (奏でる) means "to play music." This nomenclature underscores the deep integration of the family's creative practices into the very fabric of the house's design. The architecture symbolically translates these three modes of artistic creation into a physical form, where the distinct rooflines of each volume signify individuality, while the overall arrangement of buildings and connecting paths cultivates a sense of collective identity and shared living. The house measures 83.2 square meters and its structure was engineered by Nawakenji-M Kenji Nawa. The design aims to optimize the use of natural light and ventilation through its courtyard layout, enhancing the living experience. The interconnectedness of the volumes, combined with the outdoor spaces, fosters a unique dialogue between the built environment and nature, creating a serene and inspiring atmosphere for the inhabitants. The deliberate separation of workspaces ensures focused creative periods, while the central communal areas and open passages encourage family bonding and interaction. This thoughtful design approach addresses the specific needs of a modern artistic family, offering both functional efficiency and aesthetic appeal within a compact urban setting in Tokyo. The project exemplifies a contemporary interpretation of traditional Japanese courtyard house typology, adapted to suit a creative lifestyle. #ArchitecturalDesign #CourtyardHouse #ResidentialArchitecture #TokyoArchitecture #JapaneseArchitecture #TakeshiHosakaArchitects #ArtistResidence #CreativeSpace #UrbanLiving

This blog post showcases a unique property in Hillsborough, California, listed for just under $5 million, distinguished by its authentic Japanese design elements and historical significance. The estate features an original Japanese teahouse, meticulously crafted by Japanese artisans in 1894, and sprawling gardens designed by Makota Hagiwara, renowned for his work on the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. This combination makes the property an exceptionally authentic Japanese experience within the United States. The property was initially owned by Eugene de Sabla, a prominent West Coast industrialist from the early 1900s. Over the years, specifically in the late 1940s, the estate underwent additions, including one and two-story expansions. Currently, the 3,547-square-foot residence encompasses three bedrooms, a formal living room, and a family room, blending historical architecture with modern living spaces. The grounds are a significant highlight, boasting a diverse collection of approximately 500 plant species. Among these are rare varieties such as the five-needle Mikado pine. Beyond its botanical richness, the garden is home to several historical artifacts. A 400-year-old hand-carved sandstone bridge spans part of the landscape, providing a picturesque architectural feature. Adjacent to this bridge, visitors can discover an original granite lantern that dates back to the 1915 World's Fair in San Francisco, further cementing the property's unique historical connections. The overall ambiance of the estate is intended to evoke a sense of tranquility and Zen, consistent with traditional Japanese garden design principles. The fusion of natural beauty, historical elements, and traditional craftsmanship offers a distinct residential experience. The property is presented as a 'House of the Day' feature, inviting readers to consider its exceptional qualities and historical value. #JapaneseTeahouse #JapaneseGarden #HillsboroughCalifornia #LuxuryRealEstate #HistoricHome #MakotaHagiwara #SanFranciscoWorldFair #GardenDesign