A Home for Enjoying the Outdoors｜Custom Home Examples by Architectural Offices9Picks Author: Qurasuki Editorial Department

In a home that celebrates the outdoors, the character of the space changes significantly depending on how time spent outside is connected to the dwelling. Semi-outdoor spaces such as gardens, terraces, and earth-floored areas create a gentle link between the interior and the exterior, serving as places to feel nature close at hand. Some architectural designs soften the boundary between inside and outside, such as layouts framing garden views through large openings or circulation routes that lead straight outside from the living area. Through the careful selection of materials, the entry of light, and expansive sightlines, not only outdoor activities but also moments of feeling nature in daily life become part of the home. We introduce custom-built examples by architectural firms to show how outdoor-focused living is architecturally expressed in real residences.

Iwai Beach House Tada Architectural Design Office

This beach house is located in a tranquil setting overlooking the shallow-sloping Iwai Beach and its fishing harbor. It was planned as a place to spend relaxed time with family and friends, removed from the bustle of the city. White-painted solid timber exterior cladding complements the coastal landscape, and large glazed openings frame views of the sea and the mountains. A central patio links the earthen-floored doma that extends from the entrance with the sea-facing terrace in a gentle sequence. Spaces bathed in the warmth of timber window frames and natural light richly enhance life by the sea.

Chiyogaoka House — A spacious, nearby home for the child-rearing generation — Tokuhiro Norimatsu Architect

This residence, located in a residential area of Gakuenmae in Nara City, is designed for a couple and their three children. The courtyard, living room, and kitchen are arranged in a triangular configuration to create a generous, open space that becomes the center of family life. A small raised tatami platform adjacent to the living room serves as a play area, a space for learning, and a place to relax, accompanying the family as it grows. Designed to accommodate future change while naturally bringing family members closer together, the home fosters warm, supportive connections.

House Along the Jōsui Canal Atelier Cotocoto

A small live-work dwelling that nestles against the lush greenery of the Tamagawa Josui. While screening views from the heavily trafficked greenway, it aims to create a space that still retains a connection to nature. A high‑ceilinged, open‑plan studio is organized with three floor levels of varying heights; the split‑level arrangement gently delineates work and living zones. Through an inner courtyard that controls sightlines, the interior opens views toward the greenery along the Tamagawa Josui. Within a compact total floor area of 45 m², this residence demonstrates a new possibility that reconciles a sense of spaciousness and comfort.

Susami House Abax Architects

A two-story reinforced-concrete secondary residence located in Susami Town, Wakayama Prefecture. The living room and bathroom are arranged on the second floor to fully embrace the expansive panorama of sea and sky. The house presents a quiet yet striking presence, as if a white volume has been gently placed within the blue expanse of sky and sea.

House in Saito Aohoku ARCHIXXX Satoru Shinno Architectural Design

This home is located on a sloping site in a newly developed new town. Making use of the difference in elevation, terraces were provided for each room on the second floor and for the bathrooms, bringing the expansive views characteristic of a sloping site into everyday life. A soundproofed hobby room in the semi-basement accommodates a wide range of activities, including concerts, golf practice, and a play area for the children. It is a home rich in activities, allowing the family to make the most of their weekends without leaving the house.

House in Kanazawa, Takaracho Masahiko Sawamura Architect and Associates

This is a single-storey house located on a hill in Kanazawa City. The client enjoys outdoor activities, so an outdoor living area and a barbecue space were provided in the garden. The living room is fully glazed, but a 1.8 m overhang was provided to block solar radiation. In addition, an indoor golf room was provided as a hobby room.

swing: Condominium Renovation in Nishi-Ogikubo e do design architects

An apartment in Nishi‑Ogikubo where a plaza surrounding a large symbolic tree and low‑rise residential blocks spread out like a streetscape. The unit with a private garden was renovated for a family who enjoys outdoor activities. The generous mudroom‑style entry provides storage and a maintenance area for bicycles and camping equipment, and an original 'untei' (monkey bars/climbing frame) is installed in the corridor. A raised platform in the living‑dining‑kitchen, a dedicated workspace, and a looped household circulation allow flexible reconfiguration of living areas. This is a home that embraces diverse ways of living, where hobbies, work, and family time gently 'swing'.

A Home That Makes the Most of a Cranked Site Archiplace

This forever home for a couple with a wide range of hobbies is built on an irregular site extending from east to west. A home elevator was installed, with the bedrooms and wet areas concentrated on the second floor. The living room and terrace are also located on the sunny second floor, creating a home that can be lived in much like a single-story house. The first floor features a spacious garage and doma, as well as a Japanese-style room that can be used as a guest room. A music room and study further enrich the couple’s hobbies and everyday life. Mount Fuji can be seen from the rooftop terrace, while natural materials create a calm space for comfortable living over the long term.

House in Haruhino Takayoshi Nakamura Architects & Associates

This home for an outdoors-loving family is located in a residential area surrounded by mid-rise apartment buildings. Taking advantage of the site's highly open conditions, five decks and terraces are arranged as buffer zones between the house and its surroundings. A BBQ terrace, a veranda-like wood deck, and a bath court are among the spaces provided throughout the home, allowing the family to experience greenery, light, and air at close range. It is a home for living in harmony with nature—one where children can spend their time freely, while adults can continue to enjoy it for many years to come.