Nestled in the Green

A Delicate Space Wrapped in Nature

To create a feeling of familiarity with nature, architect Tomomi Omachi carefully considered the position of the house. From inside, both the garden and mountains can be viewed from multiple directions, allowing residents to enjoy the shifting colors of flowers, the fluttering of birds, and the soothing sounds of swaying leaves and chirping birds. This design aims to provide a life that fully experiences nature with all five senses.

Wrapped by the surrounding nature, this house nestles closely within the environment in which it stands. Despite being located in a typical Japanese residential area with neighboring buildings and houses, the presence of small mountains to the north and the Seto Inland Sea to the south reminds residents of the natural beauty that surrounds them. The plot of the former European-style vacation home was chosen for this project, and while the original structure was demolished, the garden has been meticulously tended to over the years. The architecture of the house delicately embraces the natural elements, creating a space that feels seamlessly integrated with its surroundings.

The design of the house and its connection to nature was a result of extensive research and collaboration between Tomomi Omachi and landscape designer Zenjiro Hashimoto. They focused on the concept of nestling the architecture within nature, considering various perspectives and developing the form, size, and positioning of the windows to create a singular, encompassing space. The goal was to merge the inside space with the outside, blending it naturally like the space found in nature.

The technical specifications of the house include a site area of 713.24 sqm and a building area of 164.26 sqm. The project was completed between 2015 and 2020 in Tajiri, Hiroshima.

This exceptional design has been recognized with the Bronze A' Design Award in the Architecture, Building, and Structure Design category in 2021. This prestigious award is bestowed upon designs that demonstrate outstanding creativity and resourcefulness, incorporating best practices in art, science, design, and technology. The house's ability to seamlessly integrate with nature and enhance the quality of life for its residents makes it a deserving recipient of this accolade.

Photography by Tatsuya Tabii.