Column
 Single-Story Houses
Mitsuhiro Kojima Architects
Mitsuhiro Kojima Architects

Single-Story Houses｜Case Studies｜A Home That Breathes with the Seasons, Defined by Spreading Horizontal Lines and the Warmth of Materials

Author: Qurasuki Editorial Department
The appeal of a single-story home lies in its simple and comfortable daily life, thanks to a workflow without stairs. The natural connection between rooms and a design that makes it easy to feel the presence of family from anywhere promotes family communication.
In addition, its structurally low center of gravity provides excellent earthquake resistance, making it a home you can live in securely for a long time. Light and ventilation are secured by incorporating courtyards or high windows that take advantage of the unique spaciousness of a single-story layout, enhancing indoor brightness and openness.

one-story-house

Single-Story Home and LDK: The Single-Story LDK, Sharing Uninterrupted Time. A Balance of Openness and Coziness that Naturally Brings the Family Closer.

Single-Story Houses ｜LDK

The LDK (living-dining-kitchen) in a single-story home, lacking upper floors, makes it easy to secure high ceilings, creating a spacious and open atmosphere. A smooth workflow from the kitchen to the dining and living areas not only improves housekeeping efficiency but also naturally deepens family bonds.
Creating large openings to visually connect with a garden or terrace amplifies the sense of space and brightness. To maintain heating and cooling efficiency, high-insulation windows and proper ventilation planning are crucial for achieving a comfortable indoor environment.

one-story-house × LDK

Single-Story Home and Terrace: The Single-Story Terrace Connecting Indoors and Out. A Pleasant Intermediate Zone that Extends Life Outward, Inviting Light and Wind into the Everyday.

Single-Story Houses ｜Terrace

The terrace of a single-story home plays a crucial role in gently connecting the interior with the exterior. Leveling the floor height makes access easy and creates a sense of openness as the line of sight from the living room extends outward.
A south-facing terrace delivers soft winter sunlight indoors, while eaves or louvers block it in the summer to maintain a comfortable environment. Sightlines are controlled with plantings, preserving privacy without sacrificing the feeling of unity with nature.

one-story-house × Terrace

Single-Story Home and Entrance: The Entrance of a Single-Story Home that Enriches the Gateway to Life. A Design Connecting Inside and Out.

Single-Story Houses ｜Entrance hall

The entrance of a single-story home is a crucial space that influences the workflow of the entire house. A spacious shoe closet or a dirt-floor storage area helps organize shoes and outdoor play equipment, maintaining indoor cleanliness.
A design is required that incorporates windows for natural light while also ensuring security. Creating a sense of unity between the entrance porch and the exterior gives a pleasant impression to visitors and makes daily comings and goings more comfortable for residents. Deep eaves also improve convenience on rainy days.

one-story-house × Entrance hall

Single-Story Home and Exterior: The Exterior of a Single-Story Home that Blends into the Scenery. An Appearance Created by Horizontal Lines and Material Texture that Deepens with Time.

Single-Story Houses ｜Exterior

The exterior of a single-story home is characterized by its low, extending horizontal lines, which harmonize naturally with the surrounding environment. Roof shapes are often gabled or single-sloped, both balancing individuality and functionality.
The impression changes with the choice of exterior wall materials and colors, with designs that leverage material texture being particularly attractive. The depth of the eaves adds shadow to the building's expression, protecting the outer walls while blocking summer sun. Window placement is also a crucial element that balances light and sightlines, achieving both exterior beauty and indoor comfort.

one-story-house × Exterior