Column
 Contemporary Design Residences
Mitsuhiro Kojima Architects
Mitsuhiro Kojima Architects

Contemporary Design Residences｜Case Studies｜Pursuing Functional Beauty and Freedom in Spatial Composition

Author: Qurasuki Editorial Department
Contemporary residential design is an approach that, unbound by historical styles, flexibly integrates modern lifestyles and current construction technologies. In practice it is characterized by achieving liberated spatial compositions through thoughtful placement of columns and walls while ensuring high seismic performance and thermal insulation. By skillfully combining materials such as glass, steel, and concrete with artisan plaster finishes and natural timber, designers create a refined, comfortable atmosphere that avoids an overly inorganic austerity. These projects also often incorporate reconfigurability—plans that can be adjusted to accommodate changes in living patterns—so that functionality and aesthetic quality are integrated at a high level.

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A contemporary exterior in which liberated form and refined detailing stand out

Contemporary Design Residences

Exteriors emblematic of contemporary design are defined by liberated formal expression that reflects contemporary values and technologies. From simple geometric volumes to organic forms, diverse expressions emerge in response to site conditions and lifestyle requirements. Materials such as glass, concrete, metal, and timber are leveraged for their inherent textures to compose a sophisticated presence. Concealing gutters and equipment where possible highlights the architecture’s aesthetic intent, while attention to durability and maintainability ensures an exterior that retains its appeal over time.

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An open-plan LDK subtly zoned by floor level changes and ceiling treatments

Contemporary Design Residences

Contemporary LDKs are frequently planned as large, unified spaces rather than being subdivided by walls. Within such open plans, gently differentiating areas—such as a sunken living floor or varied ceiling heights over the dining area—provides distinct functional zones while preserving visual openness and sightlines. Designing integrated systems like underfloor heating and high-efficiency ventilation as part of the whole ensures thermal comfort throughout, allowing family members to spend time together comfortably while maintaining a sense of individual activity.

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A contemporary kitchen that eliminates domestic clutter and blends into the space like furniture, embodying refined functional beauty

Contemporary Design Residences

The contemporary kitchen is conceived not merely as cooking equipment but as a piece of furniture that enriches the interior. Flat island kitchens without waist-high screens that conceal the work area are often employed. Worktops of quartz stone or ceramic, highly resistant to scratches and heat, deliver a simple yet luxurious tactile quality. Planning generous concealed storage for cookware and appliances suppresses signs of daily life and makes it easier to sustain a refined, hotel-like spatial atmosphere.

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A contemporary terrace that blurs the boundary between interior and exterior

Contemporary Design Residences

Blurring the boundary between inside and outside to foster a close relationship with nature is a central tenet of contemporary design. Locating a terrace adjacent to the living or dining area and using materials and colors that harmonize with the interior produces an uninterrupted, open spatial experience. Semi-outdoor spaces—such as carved-out portions of the building—or deep overhangs can mitigate sun and rain while providing comfortable sheltered areas. Large openings admit daylight and natural ventilation, creating a rich living environment with a strong connection to the natural context.

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