Overlooking
the Cityscape

On the second floor, the LDK expands into the 9.2-tatami panoramic terrace to form a space that feels as large as 35-tatami. The opening between the LDK and the terrace measures 4.9 m wide and 2.5 m high; its four panels slide fully into the wall to open the entire span. The terrace railing uses glass panels, and the floor continues as a wood deck aligned with the LDK flooring. The usual raised waterproof threshold step of about 200 mm was eliminated by lowering the waterproof layer, allowing a flat transition. These elements create both openness and continuity that encourage stepping outside.

This full-open aperture is made possible by wooden sashes with the Hebeschiebe (lift-and-slide system) developed in Germany. Operated by handle, the heavy panels lift slightly and slide with ease. At 1,300 mm per panel, their large size minimizes vertical mullions when closed, preserving an unbroken view toward the panorama.

This approach brings in winter sunlight while shielding summer rays, so interiors remain cool in summer and warm in winter. The most effective method is to create a large south-facing opening with a deep eave. Without an eave, summer sun through an opening the size of two tatami mats can deliver as much as 650 W of heat—equivalent to having a wall-mounted heater. With an eave, that load is reduced to about 53 W.

In this house, opening the building toward the panorama coincides with orienting it southward. Naturally, the panoramic terrace with its large opening is fitted with eaves carefully dimensioned to the solar angles at solstice and equinox.

Both the external approach and the indoor circulation have been given subtle staging. From the approach to the entrance, the view over the town and the cherry tree standing in the middle of the nearby road are composed so that, upon reaching the entrance, one is welcomed by them. After climbing the steep slope and following the gentle exterior steps along the wall, the point at the entrance offers a natural pause and relief.

Passing through the distinctive gabled entrance, one enters a 4.7-tatami entrance hall with a large window and ceiling heights over 3 m at the highest point. It connects visually through a glass partition to the adjacent 5-tatami stair hall, giving a spacious impression. From the inside, the glass partition also buffers heat and cold from the entrance, making the stair and corridor more comfortable to use.

The washitsu (Japanese-style room) beyond the stair hall serves as both a guest room and a Buddhist altar room, while also functioning as a light source for the corridor and stair hall. In large houses, corridors tend to be long and dark, but here, light filtered through the shoji brightens the hallway. Leaving the shoji open further shortens the sense of distance, making the corridor feel broader. A 1.1-tatami custom-shaped mat that projects into the stair hall strengthens the unity between hall and washitsu, enhancing the everyday experience of moving through the house.

To allocate more area to the LDK where the family gathers, the private rooms are minimal. Since most time is spent together in the LDK, large private rooms are unnecessary. Children’s rooms are for study and sleep only, with space just for a 1.35 m-wide closet, bed, and desk. The main bedroom is somewhat more spacious but sized only for a double bed. It does, however, include a 3.1 m-long walk-in closet with ample storage capacity.