IHT
HAYAMA, Japan: When Allan Redden says building his house was an international project, he means it.
He and his wife, Eiko Okamoto, were adamant about using three architects - one in Washington, one in San Francisco and a third in Tokyo - because they felt the trio would complement one another's strengths, ideas and cultural orientations.
The chandeliers in the cavernous living room came from Austria, exterior doors from Sweden, flooring from the United States and kitchen cabinets from Canada.
"The style of the house was first to reflect that there are no absolutes in design or humanity," Redden said.
"The house does not, in our eyes, show favoritism to any specific school of design, but does reflect our love of people."
The house, which totals 299 tsubo, or 10,640 square feet, is the largest private dwelling in Hayama- cho, a resort town of 32,000 people about 50 kilometers, or 30 miles, from Tokyo. The couple built it with their interests in mind.
I think this is an important part of the story...
Okamoto runs The Alpha Language Institute, a school that offers a range of classes - English, Spanish, Greek and more - while Redden organizes classical concerts that are held four times a year in the house's huge living room, overlooking the bay and the Mount Fuji in the distance....more...
