株式会社 SPAZIO建築設計事務所

Homes with Scenic Views｜Custom-built homes by architecture firms8Picks｜A Residence Where the View Becomes Part of Everyday Living

Author: Qurasuki Editorial Department

When constructing a house on a site with expansive views, the core of the design lies in how those vistas are 'framed' and how they are experienced in daily life. It is not enough to simply provide large windows; by carefully considering eye level, the geometry and placement of openings, and the sequence of views perceived from interior spaces, the architectural relationship with the landscape can be orchestrated to maximize the richness of the outlook. Equally important are strategies to secure privacy while preserving views, and measures to respond to solar exposure and prevailing winds. The architectural office discerns the site's potential and proposes homes in which the scenery naturally integrates as part of everyday living.

Homes with Scenic Views

Hybrid House Along the Tokigawa River

H₂O Design Office

This is a glass house with a hybrid structure of steel, timber, and glass, built on a site of approximately 220 tsubo along the Tokigawa stream in the northwestern part of Saitama Prefecture, about 50 km from the city center. It faces the Chichibu mountain range and opens onto an environment where the clear stream and seasonal changes can be enjoyed. The second-floor living spaces are arranged with a circulatory flow, with a design that prioritizes an integrated thermal environment and abundant daylighting. Instead of providing openings in the exterior walls, the building is equipped with an environmental control system that combines horizontal louvers on projecting floors with gravity-driven (stack) ventilation, connected to topside mechanical exhaust.

Shimogamo House — Condominium Renovation with Terrace

Tokuhiro Norimatsu Architect

The client requested a simple, monochrome interior, and the original two private rooms were reorganized into a bedroom, two children's rooms, and a study. The dining kitchen was moved closer to the terrace, and partition walls were incrementally shifted along the structure and openings. The home has a terrace and a view through to the Kamo River, and the living room with the family dog is the household's place of repose.

House in Kotani

Kurashi no Jōzōsho

Kamakura Plus

Far East Design Lab.

This residence is situated within Kamakura’s verdant surroundings. The site lies at the end of a narrow lane in a tranquil location with mountain views extending to the north and south. To capture these natural vistas, large two‑story‑high windows are provided on the north and south elevations, allowing views of the garden and surrounding greenery from the first‑floor living/dining/kitchen (LDK) and the second‑floor bedroom connected via a double‑height void. On the street side, wooden lattice doors are installed and curtains provided internally, enabling layered control of privacy through the modulation of sightlines and daylight.

Residential House in Tarumi

In-Ex Design Co., Ltd.

This house, situated on a site a short distance from the station, accommodates a gentle coexistence of residence and office. The street-facing first floor is planned as an office, with spaces that extend to the south garden being flexibly used as a studio, exhibition area, and meeting space. Private areas are compactly arranged, while the garden-facing household/utility space is designed as a comfortable place to linger. On the second floor an open-plan living-dining-kitchen (LDK) overlooking the Akashi Strait is provided, creating a composition in which indoor and outdoor living integrate. The home is designed to accept the mild local climate as well as occasional severe wind and rain, enabling residents to enjoy a way of life unique to this site.

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「ha」 hosaka hironobu architect associate

An elegant residence in which the harmony of materials and textures has been carefully pursued. Building materials of natural stone, thinly processed using specialized techniques, are employed throughout, imparting depth and a refined presence to the spaces. At the heart of the living, dining, and kitchen area sits a 3.4 m full‑length island kitchen, positioned as the home’s emblem to tighten and define the entire space. From the ninth‑floor terrace there is a panoramic view of the city center, and at night the distant lights enrich everyday life. A luxurious residence where the beauty of materials and a sense of openness resonate together.

Residence at Myokoji-dai

Naoko Matsumoto Architects & Associates

A split-level residence built on a hill in Yokohama that enjoys abundant views. By taking advantage of the site's level differences in the spatial arrangement, the design reconciles expansive vistas from each level with privacy. Tapestries and small objects that reflect time spent living abroad add color to the spaces, and a well-appointed library is located on the upper floor. It is a distinctive home where the occupant's memories and interests are cherished, and views and daily life are harmonized.

House in Ashiya

Abax Architects

This residence, located in an upscale residential neighborhood of Ashiya City, is a building with one basement level and two above‑ground timber-framed storeys. To secure the view from the living and dining areas, the first floor is raised approximately 1.5 m above the existing ground level, with a basement planned beneath. The volume facing the street features low eaves to reduce a sense of enclosure and present an elevation that sits gently within the streetscape. Two staggered volumes are linked by a stair core, creating a dynamic composition. A reflecting water basin is placed beyond the entrance hall, and the overall design evokes the calmness and richness of an Asian resort.