A House Living with the Sea｜Custom Home Examples by Architectural Offices6Picks Author: Qurasuki Editorial Department

In a home that lives with the sea, architecture captures not only sea views but also light, breezes, and expansive horizontal vistas within the living space. Spaces framing the ocean through large openings or configurations linking terraces with interiors allow the presence of the sea to enter daily life naturally. The color of water surfaces shifting with time and weather, sky brightness, and the feel of the wind are all elements that alter the expression of the home. Softening the boundary between interior and exterior can produce spaces infused with an openness unique to seaside living. We introduce custom-built examples by architectural firms to explore how the theme of living with the sea is expressed architecturally in real residences.

Villa Escargot Takeshi Hirobe Architects

This weekend house stands on elevated ground approximately 200 metres from the shoreline. On a site backed by a cliff and trees and overlooking Tokyo Bay, an independent volume was constructed from a succession of triangular side walls. Passing through a gradation of light from the entrance and moving through the folded-plate space, the view opens dramatically toward the sea and sky. The interior, including the semicircular wet areas and bathroom, is connected by a sequence resembling a melody. Continuous plywood surfaces with concealed joints accentuate the flowing planes and create an appearance reminiscent of a coiled shell.

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.

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.

＋UMI — Renovation Design Contest Jury Special Prize / TDY Remodel Smile Works Contest (TOTO) Excellence Award YIA Ishiue Yoshihiro Architectural Design Office

This renovation transformed a residence overlooking the Seto Inland Sea into a space where the landscape and daily life resonate together. A deck that opens broadly toward the sea was created as an outdoor living area, and the layout was arranged so the presence of the sea can be perceived from the interior at all times. An open kitchen is positioned at the heart of the home, enabling cooking while enjoying the view and conversation. The residence also includes a home theater for film viewing, which can be used as a single expansive space when hosting guests. It is a dwelling that carefully shapes a rich lifestyle lived in harmony with the sea.

Irita Beach House Far East Design Lab.

Taking advantage of a location a five‑minute walk from the sea, this residence was designed to enjoy a resort‑like everyday life. Returning from the beach and heading straight to the bathroom, or enjoying barbecues and parties on the terrace, enables a lifestyle in which interior and exterior spaces connect naturally. On the first floor, centered on a courtyard terrace, the living, dining and kitchen (LDK) and the bathroom are arranged in a U‑shaped plan to create an airy, open interior. In addition, the floors, walls and parts of the terrace were finished by the owners themselves through DIY, deepening their attachment to the home. The house embodies a seaside lifestyle that continues to mature over time.

Villa Atelier Mana

This villa, approximately one hour by car from central Tokyo, overlooks a private beach with white sandy shores. In response to the strict building coverage restrictions imposed by the scenic district and the site's location facing a national highway along the coast, the entire building is enveloped in wooden louvers, ensuring openness toward the landscape while screening views from the surrounding area. The density of the louvers is adjusted to control sightlines, while the interior incorporates an outdoor living area, a jacuzzi, and a pool. The view toward the sea is connected across the reflecting pools, creating an extraordinary stay.