The Simple House｜Custom-built homes by architecture firms9Picks｜The Richness of Negative Space

A "simple house" is not merely an empty space; it is a residence in which requisite elements are precisely arranged and materials, light, and spatial relationships are in quiet harmony. By removing unnecessary ornamentation, toning down the palette, and clarifying circulation, a sense of calm and comfort is generated in everyday life. In pursuing simplicity, the design office engages in thorough and meticulous examination of details—such as material textures, the proportions of openings, and the balance of ceiling heights. Beneath the apparent visual restraint resides a rich design intention. Here we introduce an example of a refined, simple dwelling where family life can unfold serenely.

A home planned from the land search with attention to the family's lifestyle. A soundproof room for dance, music, and home theater is located on the northwest side, and an L-shaped LDK that admits natural light from the south and east enables the coexistence of hobbies and daily life. Loft-like workspaces, skip floors, and a raised-platform second living area provide a variety of versatile spaces.

This apartment renovation maximizes the views from the 10th floor. Situated on a site blessed with city views to the east and Mount Fuji to the southwest, the layout of private rooms and the kitchen was reorganized so that the landscape can be enjoyed in everyday life. The shared space opens widely toward the views, the previously underutilized east deck was regenerated as an outdoor room connected to the kitchen, and movable partitions were introduced to reconcile openness with flexible use, creating a living environment that balances spaciousness and adaptability.

Located in an urban residential neighborhood, “Clip Box” is a dwelling that creates a rich spatial experience within a compact footprint. The exterior, where three white planes interlock with a mortar-finished wall, attains a pronounced sense of depth through the shadows cast by the layered walls. Internally, a skip-floor (split-level) living area connects to the dining space via a staircase. Smooth, efficient circulation that consolidates the necessary functions provides a comfortable living environment.

The site is a southeast corner lot within a residential subdivision, enjoying excellent solar exposure; privacy from the intersecting streets at the corner has been carefully considered. A south‑facing triangular plan is capped by a mono‑pitch roof with deep eaves. On the ground floor the living‑dining‑kitchen (LDK), bedroom, wet‑areas and a family cloakroom and storage are arranged to optimize domestic circulation; the second floor accommodates children’s rooms and a study. A slightly sunken living room overlooks the garden through low‑level windows and includes a secluded retreat at the rear, with carpeted flooring. The exterior is finished in Shirasu plaster, and the building’s thermal insulation and airtightness have been addressed with attention to environmental impact and energy performance.

An architect’s own house and atelier facing a park. Despite its compact scale—with a total floor area of 28 tsubo—a sense of spaciousness is achieved by flexibly connecting the various spaces. The placement and size of the windows were carefully planned to maximize natural forces such as light and breezes, creating a residence that is comfortable throughout the year. Wood, steel, mortar, and washi paper are harmonized to produce spaces with rich tactile qualities. It is a home where living and work, and functionality and beauty, coexist comfortably.

A mixed-structure residence with a reinforced-concrete basement and a two‑storey timber construction, located in an upscale residential neighborhood in Toyonaka City, Osaka Prefecture. The double‑height living room, which serves as the heart of the home, faces a large south‑facing garden and forms an open space where interior and exterior are gently connected. The exterior is composed simply, and the interior is kept uncluttered by restraining unnecessary elements. By carefully refining materials and composition, the dwelling achieves a coexistence of tranquility and refined quality.

The site is located on the mid‑slope of Mount Ikoma. It is a flag lot with access from the east; to the west are views of Osaka Bay, the Akashi Kaikyō Bridge and the Rokko mountains, and to the north a cluster of cherry trees. The LDK is placed on the second floor to secure elevation and incorporate changing surroundings and vistas. A transparent entrance hall is located in the flagpole access strip, and intersecting stairs guide sightlines, connecting to the LDK through cuts in the ceiling and wall. A deep, L‑shaped, frame‑like balcony establishes continuity from interior to exterior. The ceiling is a modified gable form with exposed ascending rafters.

This dwelling, designed for a couple in their thirties and their child, adopts a simple, modern and natural aesthetic. To comply with strict area and height regulations, part of the volume is sunk as a semi‑basement, above which a two‑storey timber structure is arranged. A split‑level configuration from the semi‑basement up to the loft produces a sense of spatial expansiveness and an efficient domestic circulation. On the south side a walled deck terrace provides an outdoor space that integrates with the living‑dining‑kitchen, admitting light and ventilation so occupants can feel connected to nature despite the urban location.

The client requested a simple, monochrome interior, and the original two private rooms were reorganized into a bedroom, two children's rooms, and a study. The dining kitchen was moved closer to the terrace, and partition walls were incrementally shifted along the structure and openings. The home has a terrace and a view through to the Kamo River, and the living room with the family dog is the household's place of repose.