A Courtyard House Designed to Embrace Satoyama Living

This residence stands at the foot of the satoyama in northern Nishinomiya.

The surroundings are a calm landscape where fields spread among gentle wooded hills under a wide sky. The site itself adjoins such rich satoyama nature to the northeast. In other directions, however, there are neighboring houses and farmland, making privacy a concern.

The challenge was to preserve privacy while making the most of the satoyama landscape to the northeast. The plan therefore set the framed view of the satoyama as the main focus, while adopting a courtyard-centered plan that shields views from outside and fills the interior with light from the central courtyard.

Built with an RC wall structure, the house is composed of two contrasting elements. One is the exposed concrete volume forming the indoor space, a simple and massive rectangle of 17.5 m by 11.5 m that encloses a 6.8 m by 4.5 m courtyard at its center. The other is a white envelope that wraps around and conceals the structure. This white envelope also functions as a roofed walkway leading to the entrance, eaves for the satoyama terrace and other small openings, and a screen wall concealing rooftop equipment. While following the irregular site shape, it rationally and expressively completes the building. The design aimed for the contrast between mass and lightness to stand out vividly amid the greenery of the satoyama.

It is a courtyard house that ensures complete privacy without external fences, while still opening to the environment and views of the satoyama.

Outline

A single-story residence on a spacious site of about 180 tsubo (≈597 m²).
Composed of two contrasting elements: the RC concrete structure forming the interior space, and the white envelope serving as the roofed approach, terrace eaves, and window canopies.
The courtyard brings in light, securing privacy while framing views of the satoyama beyond.
The interior is minimal yet softened with a gentler, more decorative touch.

Shaping

Site Analysis

Plans

Features

Architecture rising
within the satoyama greenery

The exterior is defined by the white envelope that conceals the exposed concrete walls. The contrast of mass and lightness was designed to emerge clearly within the green satoyama setting.

A long roofed walkway leading to the entrance heightens the sense of anticipation for visitors.

Framed view
through the courtyard

A large Hebeschiebe (lift-and-slide system), W3.5 m × H2.7 m, was installed to create a direct line of sight across the courtyard, through the LDK, to the framed satoyama view beyond. From the corridor library, the green scenery is especially rewarding.

The Hebeschiebe system uses durable composite aluminum-and-wood sashes by Morino Mado, suited to Japan’s humid and rainy climate.

Gentle connection
between entrance and courtyard

The courtyard brings light into the interior, yet it is not fully open on all sides. At the entrance and corridor, a series of slit windows creates a more measured relationship. Walking from the entry, the rhythm of light filtering through the slits offers glimpses of the courtyard, leading to the expansive openness at the LDK and library.

The slits also help prevent direct views from the entrance and corridor through to the bathroom. Rather than opening everything at once, they create tonal variation and control sightlines, becoming a device that shapes the relationship with the courtyard and satoyama beyond.

Like a framed composition

The bathroom features a large sliding door, W2.3 m × H2.3 m, opening fully onto the courtyard. From the bath, one enjoys a composition of sky, exposed concrete walls with repeating slits, and plantings, all framed by the window.

Minimal space
with a gentler interior

The interior reflects the couple’s shared sensibilities. The husband requested that elements best kept unseen remain concealed: air-conditioning units and curtain rails embedded in the ceiling, appliances stored behind large sliding doors, and no television.

Into this space, the wife introduced decorative tiles in key places, adding a contemporary and gentle character. Combined with a solid wood dining table, Scandinavian chairs, and pendant lighting with a folk craft–like quality, the result is a cohesive harmony. The warmth of these materials balances the cool clarity of the minimal setting.

Other lighting fixtures remain minimal, using small glare-free types so as not to distract, allowing textures and framed outdoor views to take center stage.