Japanese house embraces understated indoor-outdoor living

Dense on the outside, light and airy on the inside, this minimalist home in Japan strikes an unexpected balance. Designed by Akito Machi Architects, the home embraces contrasts. The facade might come off a bit fortress-like while inside, it’s bright with white walls and open space.

The home opens onto a wood-floored kitchen area with soaring timber ceilings. Opaque sliding doors separates the room from an interior stone terrace, which wraps around the house “like a bay window of the whole building,” as the architects put it.

Shinya Rachi

Coming in from the terrace, residents must walk down a small set of stairs, which makes the living areas feel like one giant conversation pit with a cozy, grounded atmosphere despite its openness. The terrace also leads to the second floor where there’s a bedroom and a loft-style mezzanine that looks onto the rest of the house.

Shinya Rachi

Shinya Rachi

Shinya Rachi