07BEACH builds family house in kyoto with an indoor tree growing at its center

located in a quiet residential area of northern kyoto city, japan, this private residence by architecture firm 07BEACH incorporates a double-height living room with an indoor tree growing at its center. built for family of five, the house is designed as one big space so that the parents can keep an eye on their three little children as they constantly move around. the double-height living room doubles as an interior courtyard, bringing plenty of daylight inside through a series of skylights on its roof.all images by yosuke ohtake

07BEACH has built the residence on a site where neighbor houses are standing at the edge of the east, west, and south boundaries, while more are lined on the other side of the north narrow road. the idea of the interior courtyard emerged after very little space was left for a garden at the back of the lot, resulting from placing car parking at the front and planning the inner spaces according to the family’s requirements. in the center of the house, the main living room has been created as a double-height space with a tree growing in the middle, which is expected to grow together with the three children.

the house is designed as a balanced mix of modern aesthetics and traditional japanese style, while wood is the dominant material throughout all spaces. placed in the middle of the residence, the glass-door bathroom faces the living room and can be enjoyed like an open-air bath together with the view of the tree. ‘although a curtain-rail was set in the bathroom just in case, even after a few months of living there, it seems the family got used to the exposed bathroom as they are still using it without a curtain,’ 07BEACH explains.

project info:

name: house in kyoto

architect: joe chikamori / 07BEACH

location: kyoto city, japan

contractor: kyuma design and construction (久馬設計工務)

construction type/structure: newly-built/wood

structure engineer: stroog

site area: 133.85 sq.m.

building area: 79.50 sq.m.

gross floor area: 131.19 sq.m.