Yamaguchicho House is a house located in Nagoya, Japan, designed in 2021 by Slow. The residential space is tailored for a family of three, showcasing meticulous architectural design that thoughtfully incorporates natural elements. Its exterior walls, made of baked cedar, feature a striking ebony finish that allows the home to blend seamlessly into its tranquil surroundings. The result is a space defined by a delicate equilibrium between beauty and practicality.
Roovice has renovated a private house in Kamakura, Japan, originally built in 1991. Located amid hillside nature, the design removes walls to create a spacious kitchen and living room, transforming a former kitchen into a hobby confectionery. The renovation balances old and new, keeping the building’s history visible by exposing the wooden structure in the living room.
Japanese design studio Roovice renovated this 1970s wooden house in Kamakura, Japan, focusing on functionality and pet-friendly features. With an understated, relaxed aesthetic, updates include expanded kitchen space, a bright double-height lightwell, and exposed wooden beams.
The redesign blends practicality and charm, creating a peaceful, comfortable home where natural light and smart design choices enhance the living experience. Designed in 2023, the Fueda House reflects a seamless balance between old and new.
Situated on a narrow, sloping site in Okinawa, Japan, the Pyramid hut by IGArchitects Masato Igarashi was planned for a couple. Designed in 2024, the house resembles a pyramid, inspired by Okinawan tombs and incorporating elements like concrete and wooden structures. Set among apartments and a cemetery, the house maintains privacy and dignity with its pyramid shape, reflecting Okinawa’s climate and cultural influences.
Architectural studio Ayami Takada Architects overhauled a relatively new house in Shizuoka, Japan, by incorporating three translucent spaces and a sunroom equipped with solar panels. The team aimed to create a completely different environment through expansion and renovation, rather than rebuilding, by “taking advantage of the topography of the river breakwater bank and the privilege of having a panoramic view of the landscape beyond.”
Designed in 2023, the 143-square-metre home is characterized by a transparent box forming a junction between interior and exterior spaces.
Komonokaen is a flower shop in Japan’s Mie Prefecture with a U-shaped facade made entirely of glass. Designed by Japanese practice Tatsuya Kawamoto + Associates in 2023, the retail space includes a plant shop and a cafe organised around a courtyard garden.
Designed in 2023 by Roovice, Apartment in Kamakura is nestled in Japan’s mountainous region. This residential space underwent a modern transformation, integrating its natural surroundings and featuring exposed structures. The design incorporates a green color scheme in the kitchen and lauan wood details, balancing concrete with warm wooden elements.
The Hokusutsu Polygon House in Takatsuki-city, Japan, designed by Shintaro Fujiwara, integrates a greenbelt backdrop with a unique polygonal layout. This design obscures interior directionality, strategically framing views of greenery and sky throughout the space.
The exterior features red cedar and contrasting green walls, while the interior walls are painted orange, enhancing the connection to the lush surroundings.