A Home Defined by Light and Land | Front Yard House in Suma - seki.design

In a suburban neighborhood where the sky opens wide and houses are set with space between, we planned a two-story wooden house with a building area of 27 tsubo (≈89 m²) and a total floor area of 44 tsubo (≈145 m²).

The main considerations in the planning process were that the site extends north–south with open aspects to the east and south, and that due to a level difference with the road, vehicular access is limited to the southwest corner. A key question was which elements of the house should be placed in the bright and open southeast portion—the most favorable part of the site—and how to shape the overlap between this zone and the main approach from the southwest. By carefully reading the site conditions and addressing each challenge directly, we sought to draw out the potential of the environment. Through this process, the form of the house emerged naturally.

The theme is the “Front Yard House.” Benefiting from abundant sunlight and privacy created by the level difference, the south side was made into a front yard. This allowed for a compact building footprint while placing the elements most efficiently. The front yard is partially covered, conceived not as a garden to be merely viewed but as an “outdoor living room” of 28-tatami, directly connected to the 28-tatami living-dining-kitchen (LDK). Together they form a 56-tatami space that extends daily living outward.

Outline

A residence planned on a site that is long north–south, open to the east and south.
By placing the front yard in the most favorable south side, light is brought in efficiently while maintaining privacy.
The front yard doubles as an outdoor living room, and with the connected LDK forms a continuous 56-tatami space.

Shaping

Site Analysis

Plans

1F

2F

Features

Distinctive Facade

The facade emerged from a close reading of the site and its qualities. Its stacked volumes, offset like building blocks, create a striking profile.

Front Yard and LDK

By integrating the entrance approach, the front yard was maximized. With all other functions placed on the 2F, the 1F was reserved entirely for the LDK, enabling the creation of a 56-tatami indoor–outdoor living area.

The front yard is closed to the west to block the strong western sun, and opened toward the southeast to capture morning light and the open sky. A broad roof (the 2F volume) extends diagonally above, allowing the space to serve as an outdoor living room.

Arriving home, one ascends five broad steps, passes through a tall, auto-lock sliding gate, and is welcomed into a front yard furnished with outdoor furniture. The arrangement allows for natural interaction, where family members can wave farewell from the LDK windows or greet returning ones as they arrive.

Corridor Library

Given the size of the house, corridors were unavoidable. To avoid long, dark hallways, the 2F stair hall and a future private room were connected and appointed as a library. This creates an open and engaging space at the daily point of passage, rather than a storage-only room. The plan anticipates that, even if the room is enclosed as a bedroom in the future, the reduced library will remain functional.

A Home for Pursuits

The wife’s passion is bread making, at a near-professional level. Along with a large domestic oven under the cooktop and a countertop oven, space has been reserved for a commercial oven. A dedicated stone worktable supports dough preparation and temperature control.

The husband’s listening room houses his cherished audio system and a custom wall unit lined with an extensive CD/DVD collection. Designed for immersion in classical music, the space incorporates sound-insulating walls and doors, modest yet effective.