nanometer architecture shelters garden under 'house off the ground' in japan

house off the ground nestles in western japan

nanometer architecture completed House Off the Ground — a stilted residence, spanning two floors and a loft, in Western Japan. Originally farmland, rich with crops and trees, the project site is nestled within a residential area and rises by five meters from the front road to the rear. As the surrounding houses developed, many leveled the land to construct flat homes or created semi-basement garages with houses built above. However, this approach often led to high costs from moving soil and building retaining walls. The result was either gardens that disregarded the natural terrain or expansive south-facing gardens that proved difficult to maintain.

all images © ToLoLo Studio

preserving the natural slope with a stitled design

Faced with these challenge, the team at nanometer architecture chose to respect the site’s history as farmland by raising the house above the natural elevation changes, leaving much of the original topography intact. By doing so, the ground level became a piloti space—a traditional architectural feature where the building is supported by pillars—offering a sheltered area for greenery. This gave room for a horizontal expanse at ground level, incorporating a green area while preserving the natural slope. The architects strategically positioned the entrace at the rear of the site, requiring residents to pass through the green zone, encouraging its upkeep. ‘Although the client had requested no garden due to maintenance concerns, the daily use of this path could inspire care, while the piloti space could serve as a playground for children, regardless of the weather,’ notes the Japanese practice.

House Off the Ground by nanometer architecture

a two-story residence with an l-shaped layout

nanometer architecture determined the final design using various factors, including the client’s specific requests for room sizes and ceiling heights. The challenge lay in balancing these requirements with building regulations and the natural characteristics of the site. The client wanted a high ceiling in the LDK (living, dining, kitchen) area, which is achieved by maintaining a ceiling height of 3.8 meters, despite opting for a single-story structure. A two-story building would have satisfied the desired floor space but risked exceeding the building coverage ratio, while a three-story design faced stricter regulations and rising construction material costs.

To meet the floor space needs within the coverage ratio, the house features bedrooms, storage, and wet areas arranged in a two-story fashion at the ends of the structure, utilizing lofts that do not count as additional floors. ‘Furthermore, we complied with greenery regulations by narrowing the width of the LDK, resulting in an L-shaped floor plan. To maximize space without increasing the building’s footprint, we incorporated bay windows, which expand the interior horizontally without affecting the floor area,’ explains nanometer.

raising the house above the natural elevation changes,

House Off the Ground is a Take on Kakezukuri for Sloped Sites

Building on a sloped site typically involves creating floors in a stepwise manner that follows the incline. In contrast, House Off the Ground draws inspiration from kakezukuri, a traditional Japanese building style often used on cliffs. The dwelling, however, inverts this typical approach. While kakezukuri usually positions the entrance at the top of a cliff, the design places the entrance at the lower part of the slope, allowing the house to hover above the ground, freeing it from the constraints of the terrain below. ‘This innovative design not only resolves the contradictions of building on a sloped site but also offers a new solution by harmoniously integrating architecture with nature. The result is a home that embraces its natural surroundings, elevating it—literally and metaphorically—above conventional residential design,’ concludes the practice.

the architects strategically positioned the entrace at the rear of the site

offering a sheltered area for greenery

interior view

L-shaped layout with compact spaces

a high ceiling in the LDK (living, dining, kitchen) area

a row of bay windows expanding horizontally on either side of the LDK area

House Off the Ground features typical Japanese wooden construction

loft area

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project info:

name: House off the ground
location: Western Japan

architect: nanometer architecture | @nanometerarchitecture
structural design: Komatsu Hironori Structural Design Office

fabric: jyu +
construction: Seiwa Construction
photographer: ToLoLo Studio
structure: steel frame construction
floors: 2 above ground + loft
total floor area: 125.30 sqm
design period: July 2021 – December 2023
construction period: January 2023 – March 2024