Far East Design Lab.
Outdoor Living|Introduction to Architecture Firms|Living Where Interior and Exterior Become One
Author: Qurasuki Editorial Department
Outdoor living is a design approach that treats outdoor areas—such as terraces, decks, and courtyards—as extensions of the living room, realizing a rich lifestyle in which interior and exterior are integrated. Exterior spaces that connect seamlessly to interiors through generous openings and deep eaves enrich everyday life, providing settings for al fresco dining, reading on sunny days, and family gatherings. Design strategies that ensure continued comfort—such as continuity of flooring materials, visual transparency, and measures to mitigate rain and solar exposure—elevate the spatial quality. Here we introduce an architectural practice that places outdoor living at the center of its residential designs.
Abax Architects
203 Higashi-Shin Building, 1-7-12 Awaza, Nishi-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
Mitsuhiro Kojima Architects
426-1-101 Higashisin-machi, Ota City, Gunma Prefecture
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A Courtyard Where the Wind Flows Through5
Mitsuhiro Kojima Architects426-1-101 Higashisin-machi, Ota City, Gunma Prefecture -
A Courtyard Where the Wind Flows Through4
Mitsuhiro Kojima Architects426-1-101 Higashisin-machi, Ota City, Gunma Prefecture -
A Courtyard Where the Wind Flows Through2
Mitsuhiro Kojima Architects426-1-101 Higashisin-machi, Ota City, Gunma Prefecture -
A Courtyard Where the Wind Flows Through3
Mitsuhiro Kojima Architects426-1-101 Higashisin-machi, Ota City, Gunma Prefecture -
A Courtyard Where the Wind Flows Through6
Mitsuhiro Kojima Architects426-1-101 Higashisin-machi, Ota City, Gunma Prefecture -
A Courtyard Where the Wind Flows Through7
Mitsuhiro Kojima Architects426-1-101 Higashisin-machi, Ota City, Gunma Prefecture
Masahiko Sawamura Architect and Associates
Room 902, Famille Kamichoja-machi, 22-9, 2-chome Shimoru, Kamichoja-machi, Higashihorikawa-dori, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
Tokuhiro Norimatsu Architect
2nd Floor, Okada Building, 2-25 Tsurumai Higashi-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, Japan
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Chiyogaoka House — A spacious, nearby home for the child-rearing generation —8
Tokuhiro Norimatsu Architect2nd Floor, Okada Building, 2-25 Tsurumai Higashi-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, Japan -
Chiyogaoka House — A spacious, nearby home for the child-rearing generation —2
Tokuhiro Norimatsu Architect2nd Floor, Okada Building, 2-25 Tsurumai Higashi-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, Japan -
Chiyogaoka House — A spacious, nearby home for the child-rearing generation —1
Tokuhiro Norimatsu Architect2nd Floor, Okada Building, 2-25 Tsurumai Higashi-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, Japan -
Chiyogaoka House — A spacious, nearby home for the child-rearing generation —16
Tokuhiro Norimatsu Architect2nd Floor, Okada Building, 2-25 Tsurumai Higashi-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, Japan -
Chiyogaoka House — A spacious, nearby home for the child-rearing generation —12
Tokuhiro Norimatsu Architect2nd Floor, Okada Building, 2-25 Tsurumai Higashi-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, Japan -
Chiyogaoka House — A spacious, nearby home for the child-rearing generation —5
Tokuhiro Norimatsu Architect2nd Floor, Okada Building, 2-25 Tsurumai Higashi-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, Japan
YIA Ishiue Yoshihiro Architectural Design Office
1572 Amagawataki-cho, Kishiwada, Osaka Prefecture, Japan
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At the entrance level, the stair to the second floor greets visitors like a three‑dimensional intersection
YIA Ishiue Yoshihiro Architectural Design Office1572 Amagawataki-cho, Kishiwada, Osaka Prefecture, Japan -
+UMI — Renovation Design Contest Jury Special Prize / TDY Remodel Smile Works Contest (TOTO) Excellence Award17
YIA Ishiue Yoshihiro Architectural Design Office1572 Amagawataki-cho, Kishiwada, Osaka Prefecture, Japan -
HE10 — AICA Project Example Contest, Excellence Award11
YIA Ishiue Yoshihiro Architectural Design Office1572 Amagawataki-cho, Kishiwada, Osaka Prefecture, Japan -
HE10 — AICA Project Example Contest, Excellence Award14
YIA Ishiue Yoshihiro Architectural Design Office1572 Amagawataki-cho, Kishiwada, Osaka Prefecture, Japan -
+UMI — Renovation Design Contest Jury Special Prize / TDY Remodel Smile Works Contest (TOTO) Excellence Award2
YIA Ishiue Yoshihiro Architectural Design Office1572 Amagawataki-cho, Kishiwada, Osaka Prefecture, Japan -
+UMI — Renovation Design Contest Jury Special Prize / TDY Remodel Smile Works Contest (TOTO) Excellence Award15
YIA Ishiue Yoshihiro Architectural Design Office1572 Amagawataki-cho, Kishiwada, Osaka Prefecture, Japan
In-Ex Design Co., Ltd.
4-59 Takanoizumicho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
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Functions not only as a studio but also as a meeting space.
In-Ex Design Co., Ltd.4-59 Takanoizumicho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture -
Opening the shutter reveals the continuity from the +1.2-meter terrace space to the LDK.
In-Ex Design Co., Ltd.4-59 Takanoizumicho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture -
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The horizontal slit on the second floor serves as the opening for the outdoor living area.
In-Ex Design Co., Ltd.4-59 Takanoizumicho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture -
The external space and residential wing visible along the line of sight.
In-Ex Design Co., Ltd.4-59 Takanoizumicho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
Yosuke Tomiya Architectural Design Co., Ltd.
4-8, 16-chome, 5-jo, Shinkawa, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
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Utility room that captures light from the stairwell
Yosuke Tomiya Architectural Design Co., Ltd.4-8, 16-chome, 5-jo, Shinkawa, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido -
Curved atrium that gathers light
Yosuke Tomiya Architectural Design Co., Ltd.4-8, 16-chome, 5-jo, Shinkawa, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido -
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Upon entering, the courtyard’s light and planting form a focal point
Yosuke Tomiya Architectural Design Co., Ltd.4-8, 16-chome, 5-jo, Shinkawa, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido -
Second-floor balcony with a V-shaped wall profile that admits light
Yosuke Tomiya Architectural Design Co., Ltd.4-8, 16-chome, 5-jo, Shinkawa, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
KASA ARCHITECTS
2-21-2-1S Fuda, Chofu City, Tokyo
JYU ARCHITECT
2-19-19 Nakane, Meguro-ku, Tokyo
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