With its simple arced shape echoing the shape of the property and its charred cedar exterior similar to that found throughout the neighborhood, this residence blends seamlessly into its surroundings of peaceful rice fields, temples, and shrines. The kitchen sits in the very center of the home with a clear view of the living room, tatami space, and, across the courtyard, all of the other rooms. The layout allows the residents to keep an eye on their small children no matter where in the house they are. Because all the rooms face onto the courtyard, they are flooded with light and fresh air without being exposure to passersby outside.

courtesy Kaori Ichikawa

courtesy Kaori Ichikawa

courtesy Kaori Ichikawa

courtesy Kaori Ichikawa

+ Project facts

Design to completion: April 2011-September 2012
Location:  Yoshinogawa-Shi, Tokushima
Primary usage: Residence
Structure: wooden construction, single story above ground
Family structure: Couple with two children
Site area: 625.12 m2
Building area: 104.51 m2
Total floor space: 92.91 m2

Architect: Naoko Horibe
Photographer: Kaori Ichikawa

+ All images and drawings courtesy Naoko Horibe \ photo by Kaori Ichikawa

Designed by Japanese architect Naoko Horibe. The property where this residence stands is occasionally flooded during heavy rains. The clients requested a design that dealt with the problem, as well as providing security, privacy, good natural light and air circulation, and a space that their children could run around in. In response the architect proposed locating a large courtyard in the center of the house that would let in light and air without sacrificing privacy. Taking the flood risk into consideration, the foundation and floor are fairly high. The rooms are linked in a loop around the central courtyard, creating a space where the kids can run around and around.

courtesy Kaori Ichikawa

courtesy Kaori Ichikawa

courtesy Kaori Ichikawa

courtesy Kaori Ichikawa

courtesy Kaori Ichikawa

courtesy Kaori Ichikawa

+ Project facts

Design to completion: August 2011-November 2012
Location: Naruto-Shi, Tokushima
Primary usage: Residence
Structure: wooden construction, single story above ground
Family structure: Couple with two children
Site area: 295.93 m2
Building area: 124.28 m2
Total floor space: 105.46 m2

Architect: Naoko Horibe
Photographer: Kaori Ichikawa

+ All images and drawings courtesy Naoko Horibe \ photo by Kaori Ichikawa

Naoko Horibe designed the House of Yamakawa. This home sits on a road that gets a surprising amount of traffic given how narrow it is. To minimize the noise from cars and to ensure privacy, the architects concentrated storage spaces along the side of the house facing the road and added a hallway as a further buffer shielding the main rooms. In contrast, large windows open from each room onto the spacious back garden, giving many different views of the cherry blossom trees, expansive paddy landscape, and mountain range beyond. Bent in a V-shape to follow the curve of the road, the house echoes the form of the distant mountains.

courtesy Kaori Ichikawa

courtesy Kaori Ichikawa

courtesy Kaori Ichikawa

courtesy Kaori Ichikawa

+ Project facts

Design to completion: August 2011-December 2012
Location: Yoshinogawa-Shi, Tokushima
Primary usage: Residence
Structure: wooden construction, single story above ground
Family structure: Couple with a child
Site area: 1024.45 m2
Building area: 151.14 m2
Total floor space: 151.14 m2
Architect: Naoko Horibe
Photographer: Kaori Ichikawa

+ All images and drawings courtesy Naoko Horibe \ photo by Kaori Ichikawa