Outdoor Living｜Custom-built homes by architecture firms9Picks｜An Additional Living Room Where Interior and Exterior Merge

Outdoor living is an approach that treats exterior spaces—terraces, decks, courtyards and the like—as extensions of the living room, blurring the boundary between interior and exterior to enrich daily life. A timber deck that connects seamlessly at floor level through large openings, deep eaves or covered terraces that allow occupants to feel the outdoors even on rainy days, and fences and planting schemes that protect privacy while maintaining a sense of openness—by integrating these elements with the architecture, a lifestyle that dissolves into the natural context is achieved. The design practice, through interviews about site orientation, the surrounding environment, and family routines, proposes outdoor spaces that are as comfortable as interior rooms. Explore these residential examples that treat the exterior as living space.

This is a full renovation of a two-story reinforced concrete residence. The existing large single-pitched roof volume was retained and reconfigured into an open living-dining area. The Irohamomiji (Japanese maple) and cherry tree remaining on the site were carefully preserved, and a new terrace was introduced to incorporate them, creating a plan in which interior and exterior are gently connected. Furthermore, the bathroom was arranged as a semi-outdoor space, realizing a resort-like environment where one can relax while experiencing nature. It is a revitalized residence that enhances the quality of daily life while bringing out the existing charm.

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.

This residence, built on a sloping site overlooking the rich nature of the Akigawa Hills, is a home where everyday living and the outdoors gently blend. Centered on a lawned courtyard, the plan places the main house with a living–dining–kitchen (LDK) and a detached annex containing the wet areas and a garage, creating a composition that keeps nature close at hand. At the center of the space is a five-meter-long dining table with an integrated sink, creating a gathering place for family and friends. The deliberately understated interior leaves room for the occupants to intervene and nurture it themselves. It is a home where both the landscape and daily life mature over time.

Approximately one hour from Tokyo, this residence is situated on a generous, verdant suburban site. Designed by a German–Japanese couple as their new home for the post‑retirement phase, the project integrates the garden and house while preserving existing mature trees so that each window frames a distinct view. The main house is a simple single‑story pavilion that opens broadly to the garden; deep eaves and a terrace create a gentle transition between interior and exterior. The program also includes a dedicated garage for restoring classic BMWs, providing a base for hobbies and social exchange.

This is a residence for which we assisted beginning with the site selection. The client had long working hours and wanted a timeless space for relaxing with plants in their leisure time. Making use of the site’s characteristics, the living room, a deck for enjoying wine and outdoor meals, and a garden of flowers and greenery were arranged as a continuous spatial sequence, blurring the boundaries. Interior and exterior are unified, creating a home in which plants are an integral part of daily life.

This house was conceived from a site condition with an approximate 1.2 m level change and the owner's passion for cars and motorcycles. The approach from street level gently guides you toward the courtyard while offering views of the garage; beyond it, the living spaces unfold in a striking composition. The courtyard, positioned between the garage and the living/dining/kitchen (LDK), blurs the boundary between interior and exterior and expands the stage for daily life. The interior is unified in achromatic tones except for the texture of wood, providing a backdrop that accentuates the presence of cherished belongings. It is a residence filled with abundant living spaces in which both inside and outside are fully and deliberately inhabited.

The site is a single-story lot elongated east–west. Because an apartment building sits to the south, the house is sited as far north as possible and organized on a rectangular plan. All habitable rooms face south, while openings and a rear courtyard are provided on the north side of a long corridor to create a clear north–south through-axis. From the entry, a large opening leads to a dining area that connects to the garden via a deck; slightly sunken, this transitions to the living room with a wood-burning stove. The exterior is composed of a deep-eaved mono-pitched roof with white plaster and timber cladding, and the interior takes advantage of the mono-pitched roof by finishing the ceiling with cedar boards sourced from thinning operations.

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.

This house in Toda City, Saitama Prefecture responds to an environment of surrounding factories, warehouses, and heavy traffic by adopting a closed composition toward the street. An internal courtyard brings in daylight and natural ventilation while maintaining separation from the exterior, creating a calm residential environment. By engaging with its context, the dwelling produces a rich, inward‑focused living realm.