Skip Floor｜Custom-built homes by architecture firms9Picks｜Volumetric Richness Created by Level Differences

A split-level (skip-floor) configuration introduces intermediate floors between primary storeys, delivering three-dimensional connectivity and variation within a residence. By offsetting floors by half levels, sightlines extend through the interior while spaces are gently articulated, producing openness together with an appropriate degree of privacy. The voids and stepped areas that result can be efficiently programmed as storage, and when combined with vertical atria, daylight and air circulate volumetrically throughout the home. The vertical movement of children between levels also creates natural informal play spaces. Architectural firms carefully propose the potential of such three-dimensional dwellings, taking into account site topography and household composition.

Located in a quiet residential neighborhood in the city center, this house occupies a sloping site with an elevation change of approximately 5 m. Under the constrained conditions of being enclosed by adjacent buildings, the design secures residential floor area through a three-level configuration that includes a basement. A sequence of split-level living spaces and a stair atrium approximately 10 m in height are provided so that daylight from a skylight reaches down to the basement. The top floor is conceived as an open space connected to a garden and roof terrace; the contrast with the calm atmosphere of the basement creates a three-dimensional residence evoking a natural ravine.

A house sited on a narrow lot in a traditional downtown neighborhood. Vertical circulation is treated not as a constraint but as an experiential element: a skip‑floor arrangement of staggered half‑levels produces a sequence of varied spatial conditions. Ultra‑thin external walls and a steel skeletal frame maximize the usable area of the site, and by optimizing regulatory allowances the design also achieves an open top‑floor terrace. Compact yet filled with light and natural ventilation, the residence establishes a light, airy living environment.

This garage house is built on a narrow lot with a 4.6 m frontage and an approximately 80 cm level difference from the street. Under strict height restrictions, the design secures a garage and approach on the first floor while placing the entrance and wet areas on an intermediate level. The resulting level change is utilized as a split-level arrangement, creating a rich living environment with three-dimensionally connected spaces. A timber seismic-resisting frame reconciles the garage's openness with seismic performance, and a design that skillfully interprets the site's limited conditions delivers a unique sense of depth and spatial breadth.

A split-level residence that takes advantage of the site’s changes in elevation. Half-level-offset spaces extend vertically and horizontally, and family members’ presence remains gently connected through an atrium. The open, Japanese‑modern interior fosters natural interaction centered on the kitchen. Thoughtful provisions for enjoying hobbies are woven throughout—such as a tea room integrated with the entry and a high‑capacity bookshelf spanning an entire wall. Additionally, the rooftop provides a dedicated spot for reading and enjoying a beer. A playful home that layers small luxuries into everyday life.

A residence for a family of four on a site of just under 30 tsubo. Based on the requests of a husband who enjoys baking and a wife who is highly organized, the design realizes a space that combines simplicity, functionality, and playfulness. The first floor is organized around a café-like doma space and is configured so the family can live on a single level in the future. The second floor, with varied ceiling heights, becomes an expansive LDK connected to a deck terrace. The skip-floor third level includes a study, a children’s room, and a balcony, and the variety of places to inhabit gives the home a rich, expressive character.

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.

A residence set within the expansive farmland scenery of Nanporo Town. Making use of the horizon and wide sky, an open-plan single-space LDK was planned to overlook the farm and distant views. As a flood countermeasure the floor level was raised, while a skip floor that gently connects the porch to the interior maintains a connection to the ground. Playful devices such as a slide along the staircase, a mezzanine children's space, and nooks are distributed throughout so the family can live while playing. With high-performance insulation design and ZEH Oriented certification, this is a home for expansive living together with the rich landscape.

This residence is situated on the Yamate hillside of Kobe, along the Sumiyoshi River. While maximizing Kobe’s characteristic views of mountain and sea, a split-level (skip-floor) plan is adopted to respond to the site’s changes in elevation, and the building is simply articulated in timber construction. By sitting close to the topography, unobstructed sightlines are secured, creating a three-dimensional space where different vistas can be enjoyed on each tier. It is a home that directly incorporates the appeal of a location where the natural environment and the urban presence intersect into everyday living.

This residence was designed for a neighborhood where old and new buildings coexist. Oriented with its long axis to the north and subject to strict height-plane (sloping plane) restrictions, the plan adopts a skip-floor configuration with half the volume arranged as a semi‑basement, balancing site efficiency with spatial richness. Individual spaces are suitably articulated yet continuous, and variations in ceiling height generate a sense of spaciousness and diverse places to inhabit that exceed the measured floor area. From the built‑in garage to the entry, the generous dining area, a living room designed for cohabitation with cats, the semi‑basement workroom, and a tatami guest room, the everyday scenes of life are carefully curated. Equipped with whole‑house air conditioning, high thermal insulation, and a seismic‑damping structure, the home reconciles comfort and performance.