this house organized around a courtyard is designed for a dog lover

inward-facing ‘courtyard house at wani’

located on a hill overlooking lake biwa, japan, ‘courtyard house at wani’ is a single-story residence designed for a dog lover who likes outdoor activities. all the rooms are organized around a courtyard, generating a polygonic-shaped cozy outdoor space with an introverted character. 

‘we would be happy if a favorite place is chosen according to the season and time, creating a generous and comfortable living atmosphere like drinking coffee at a table overlooking lake biwa in the morning and taking a nap on a large sofa near the courtyard in the afternoon,’ added the architects.all images courtesy of design it

a cozy, warm, and luxurious outdoor space

the owner’s request was to live with his dogs and fully enjoy the scenery and air of wani. design it (see more here) created a single-story structure, interrupted by a central void (which forms the courtyard), to maintain the outdoor feeling. meanwhile, the architects punctured the outside shell of the structure creating a big rectangular window, to preserve the view which opens towards the lake biwa.

the courtyard becomes a part of the house, creating an intimate and comfortable semi-open space with an indoor atmosphere. in this dwelling, the entrance, the floor-to-ceiling windows, and all the rooms face the courtyard and so, daily life is naturally centered around it. 

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project info:

name: courtyard house at wani
architects:  design it

design team: takashi ikeda and takako ikeda

location: japan

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