Introducing House in Akigawa, a custom-built home example by Atelier Cotocoto, a Architect / Design office in 4 Sekimachiminami, Nerima-ku, Tokyo

Situated on a sloping site overlooking the abundant natural landscape of the Akigawa Hills, this residence offers an exceptional setting to experience the changing seasons and the nuances of nature. To fully embrace this environment, a lawn-covered courtyard was positioned at the center of the property, flanked by the main living quarters—including the living, dining, and kitchen areas (LDK) and bedrooms—and a detached annex housing the wet areas and garage.

The courtyard, designed with privacy in mind, can be sheltered with a tarp to provide rain protection, transforming into an outdoor living space reminiscent of a campsite on weekends.

The LDK features a centrally placed five-meter-long dining table with an integrated sink, facilitating communal cooking and dining much like a camp kitchen, while promoting fluid circulation throughout the space.

The interior is intentionally left with a roughly finished, understated aesthetic that avoids over-elaboration, allowing for customization and adaptation over time as the occupants live in the space.

Most of the exterior landscaping and planting work was undertaken by the homeowners themselves, who have since invested time in nurturing the garden gradually. Several years post-completion, the courtyard now boasts lush green grass, a variety of planted flowers, and even a self-built outdoor sink. This house charmingly embodies the beauty of growth and change over time.