naoi architecture & design office builds villa tsukuba to bring its inhabitants closer to nature

villa tsukuba makes the most of the landscape’s beauty

naoi architecture and design office built ‘villa tsukuba’ in japan, making the most of the landscape’s beauty, generating a balance between comfort and stillness. the exterior is integrated into its surrounding greenery, while its wide openings capture the abundant views of nature. the man-made stream and the ‘secondary nature’ (garden) that frames the house, were designed to enliven the space and blur the boundaries between the residential neighborhood with the surrounding natural environment of tsukuba.all images courtesy of hiroshi ueda

being immersed in nature

the residence implements a simple floor plan providing immersive views of the surrounding scenery from any room.

due to the slope of the site, the architects (see more here) decided to form a floor that expands from the foundation — giving the impression that it floats in midair — instead of building a retaining wall. the common area employs an open layout, arranged in the middle of the dwelling, while an elongated deck, extends its limits. the living room floor is sunken, so once inhabitants or visitors rest on the sofa, they get the feeling of being immersed in nature.

gentle variations in the plan that lead with a step from the living room, to the deck, mimic the ambiguous boundaries when moving from den-like-interior to veranda to garden in a traditional japanese home. this formation also enhances the experience of the connection to nature.

an eight-meter-tall hackberry tree on the north side of the deck terrace, enhancing the sense of depth when looking out from the living room

‘the stillness and generosity of nature relax and refresh us’

the minimal interior fuses natural materials like wooden furniture and stone volumes with elegant touches, creating a warm yet fine atmosphere. furthermore, natural light and ventilation flow through the interior thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows, while the air-conditioning plays a secondary role. meanwhile, the structure owns high-quality insulation to lower the home’s environmental impact. 

‘this home gives residents the opportunity to enjoy the changing natural world and feel that they are a part of it. we hope that over time, this structure built close to nature will take on even greater character alongside the beautiful landscape around it.’ said the architects.‘the stillness and generosity of nature relax and refresh us, enriching our lives and making us healthier in both body and spirit.’

1/11

'secondary nature'

the design moves smoothly from living room, up a step, and onto the deck

the elevated, open living space and balcony naturally draw the eye to the rice fields and forest visible in the distance

the design makes maximum use of natural light and ventilation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

project info:

name: villa tsukuba

architecture: naoi architecture and design office
location: ibaraki prefecture, japan
date of completion: 2021
building area: 311.32sqm

total floor area: 156.54sqm
design period: 2018.12 – 2019.11
construction period: 2019.12- 2021.1
structural engineer: nawaken gym　
landscape design: sora-niwa

photography: hiroshi ueda