Shaping
Site Analysis
Plans
This two-story wooden house, with a footprint of 19 tsubo and a total floor area of 32 tsubo, is located in a quiet residential neighborhood in the northern hills of Kobe. What makes the site special is its position along a riverside promenade lined with cherry trees. We envisioned a home where the residents could enjoy the presence of these trees year-round, while also maintaining privacy.
With the budget in mind, we designed a plan that actively incorporates exterior space—not as a garden to be admired or a bare terrace used only a few times a year, but as something more: an outdoor living room.
The boundaries between inside and outside are blurred to encourage natural movement outdoors. We designed shading elements for the strong summer sun, along with a roof or tarp for shelter from the rain. Fixed furnishings like a sofa and table also contribute to this space—not a garden, not a terrace, but a true living room. Together, the cherry-lined path, the outdoor living room, and the LDK form a continuous 31-jo space for family life.
To preserve privacy, nearly all windows face the outdoor living room. As a result, the front facade presents a primitive and unadorned appearance.
The landscaping complements this simplicity with silver-leaf and other gray-toned plants, creating a monochromatic palette that evokes a quiet, storybook-like atmosphere.
Expanding interior space has cost limitations. Instead, we created an outdoor living room to secure spaciousness while keeping the cost per square meter down.
A full-open sash measuring 3.6 meters wide by 2.5 meters high connects the LDK to the wood deck. Laid in the same direction as the indoor flooring, the Itauba decking extends the living space outward as a continuous whole.
| Builder | Connexio Home Co., Ltd. |
|---|---|
| Kitchen | Hoshino Woodworks Co., Ltd. |
| Location | Kita Ward, Kobe |
|---|---|
| Use | Private Residence |
| Family | Couple + 2 children |
| Year | 2017 |
| Structure | Wooden / 2F |
|---|---|
| Site Area | 162.4 m² (≈ 49.1 tsubo) |
| Total Floor Area | 106.5 m² (≈ 32.2 tsubo) |
| Total Cost | 25.5 million JPY |