My Houzz: Architect’s House Balances Public and Private Space
This Tokyo home’s clever layout creates inviting spots for both family and clients, and maximizes riverside views
A flexible house designed for work, leisure and the appreciation of nature — that’s what architect Yuki Horiuchi and her husband, writer Sai Horiuchi, aimed for when they built their Tokyo home.
From the bank of the Tama River, where this house is located, Mount Fuji is visible on a clear day. The river glitters through gaps in the trees, an urban forest silhouetted against the endless blue sky. In these surroundings, it’s hard to believe that you are in Japan’s largest metropolis. “I love nature so much, and my true dream is to retire and go live in the countryside,” Sai says. He and Yuki, the owners of Studio CY (pronounced “sigh”), had long been searching for a place to build their home and had almost settled on Kamakura, a seaside town south of Tokyo, when they stumbled on this property. They completed the house in 2015.
From the bank of the Tama River, where this house is located, Mount Fuji is visible on a clear day. The river glitters through gaps in the trees, an urban forest silhouetted against the endless blue sky. In these surroundings, it’s hard to believe that you are in Japan’s largest metropolis. “I love nature so much, and my true dream is to retire and go live in the countryside,” Sai says. He and Yuki, the owners of Studio CY (pronounced “sigh”), had long been searching for a place to build their home and had almost settled on Kamakura, a seaside town south of Tokyo, when they stumbled on this property. They completed the house in 2015.
Yuki, pictured at right with Sai, says that in designing the steel-framed house, she constantly thought about how to maximize the presence of nature, light and wind in this urban space.
The property is bordered by other houses on three sides. The south end — the front of the house — faces the river, with a narrow road and the riverside park in between.
The property is bordered by other houses on three sides. The south end — the front of the house — faces the river, with a narrow road and the riverside park in between.
Windows cover most of the south side of the home, so its three stories offer different perspectives on the river and greenery. Open structures within the home, as well as the slight elevation of its north side, make it possible to see and hear the river from anywhere in the house.
“I wanted to make the southern side, which faces the river, all glass,” Yuki says. She addressed the structural problems of such a design by using a stainless steel framework for the windows. These frames are navy blue, a little softer and subtler than black.
“I wanted to make the southern side, which faces the river, all glass,” Yuki says. She addressed the structural problems of such a design by using a stainless steel framework for the windows. These frames are navy blue, a little softer and subtler than black.
“Both of us work from home, so I divided the house by function: The first floor is for public use, the second floor for both public and private, and the third floor is for private use only,” Yuri says.
She points out that the first area immediately inside the steel-framed glass front door can be used as a cafe or a doma, a traditional half-outdoor workroom or kitchen with a packed-earth floor. The unfinished floor allows the room to be used as an indoor-outdoor space where guests aren’t obliged to remove their shoes.
Yuki meets with her clients and contractors and eats meals here during the warm seasons. “I want to open a cafe here in the near future and create a place where people can gather,” she says.
The interior wall is partially covered in the outdoor siding material, creating a subtle cohesiveness between outside and inside, and welcoming visitors in. Sai’s record collection and instruments adorn the room.
She points out that the first area immediately inside the steel-framed glass front door can be used as a cafe or a doma, a traditional half-outdoor workroom or kitchen with a packed-earth floor. The unfinished floor allows the room to be used as an indoor-outdoor space where guests aren’t obliged to remove their shoes.
Yuki meets with her clients and contractors and eats meals here during the warm seasons. “I want to open a cafe here in the near future and create a place where people can gather,” she says.
The interior wall is partially covered in the outdoor siding material, creating a subtle cohesiveness between outside and inside, and welcoming visitors in. Sai’s record collection and instruments adorn the room.
The accent wall opposite the records is painted the same navy blue as the window frames. Ayano Kumagai’s powerful artwork, which Yuki fell in love with at first sight, anchors the space. The vintage English dining table is surrounded by an eclectic collection of chairs.
This large window and glass door look out on a courtyard. When the door is open, the room becomes a big indoor-outdoor space.
This large window and glass door look out on a courtyard. When the door is open, the room becomes a big indoor-outdoor space.
Ash, Vaccinium oldhamii, Westringia and other deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs grow in the garden, which changes with the seasons. The two large glass walls offer a sightline from the garden plants to the green of the riverbank.
The patio floor is tile, with granite steps toward the front. Red cedar panels or plaster covers the home’s exterior walls.
The patio floor is tile, with granite steps toward the front. Red cedar panels or plaster covers the home’s exterior walls.
The kitchen is behind and to the right of the doma. It is slightly elevated, which serves as a cue for guests to take off their shoes.
The front of the island and the wall cabinets are by Living, while the counter around the stove is by Madre, a custom kitchen design company. The wooden cabinet doors are made of walnut; gray paint on their backs provides contrast. Yuki selected stainless steel for the countertop. Part of the steel counter has a mill scale finish, as she enjoys mixing different materials. The solid wood countertop is an antique beam from an American house. Taking its future use as a cafe into account, the kitchen is equipped with a second sink, an ice machine and coffee paraphernalia.
The front of the island and the wall cabinets are by Living, while the counter around the stove is by Madre, a custom kitchen design company. The wooden cabinet doors are made of walnut; gray paint on their backs provides contrast. Yuki selected stainless steel for the countertop. Part of the steel counter has a mill scale finish, as she enjoys mixing different materials. The solid wood countertop is an antique beam from an American house. Taking its future use as a cafe into account, the kitchen is equipped with a second sink, an ice machine and coffee paraphernalia.
“I love looking at the outside scenery while I’m cooking,” Sai says.
Yuki found the pendant lamps with the painted insides in The Conran Shop.
Browse single-light pendants
Yuki found the pendant lamps with the painted insides in The Conran Shop.
Browse single-light pendants
The couple deliberately chose not to rustproof the mill-scaled steel stairs and left the construction markings in place for a rougher look.
“I wanted lots of windows, so I would be able to feel the river and nature from anywhere in the house. I intentionally created many slits [in interior surfaces] so that I can see them throughout the house,” Yuki says.
Looking toward the kitchen from the river, you can see that the many windows and the rooms that seem to float bring light into the house and create a sense of openness.
“I wanted lots of windows, so I would be able to feel the river and nature from anywhere in the house. I intentionally created many slits [in interior surfaces] so that I can see them throughout the house,” Yuki says.
Looking toward the kitchen from the river, you can see that the many windows and the rooms that seem to float bring light into the house and create a sense of openness.
To the right of the staircase (as seen from the kitchen) is a traditional Japanese room. Its north-facing window frames the maple tree in the backyard like a piece of art. The traditional plaster wall has paper wainscoting. A narrow strip of camellia wood separates the tatami mats from the wall.
The decorative paper, or karakami, on the sliding doors comes from Kamisoe in Kyoto, Japan. The handmade paper features traditional woodblock printing patterns designed by artist Mai Miyake. Yuki selected a glossy gray hue for the paper. “I want to host tea ceremonies in this room, using the kitchen as the washing area and the cafe space as the waiting room,” she says.
The decorative paper, or karakami, on the sliding doors comes from Kamisoe in Kyoto, Japan. The handmade paper features traditional woodblock printing patterns designed by artist Mai Miyake. Yuki selected a glossy gray hue for the paper. “I want to host tea ceremonies in this room, using the kitchen as the washing area and the cafe space as the waiting room,” she says.
The southern half of the second floor is the living and work space. “Most of the time when I’m at home, I’m working,” Yuki says. So she placed her desk where she can best enjoy the beautiful view. Since it’s her studio, she keeps the interior simple and officelike, with the framework and ducts exposed. The south side is made up almost entirely of half-height windows, for some privacy. The exception are the glass sliding doors that lead to the balcony. There are recycled-wood bookshelves on both ends of the room. The walls are painted a warm gray, and the floor is oak.
The wood-paneled box looks as if it’s floating, but it’s actually supported by a steel-framed structure. Sai stores his instruments here. The space between this floating box and the floor allows Yuki to see Sai downstairs even when she is working up here. The kitchenette is for preparing tea and meals on the second floor.
Dining table: The Conran Shop; sofa: Seven Salotti’s Naviglio, Arflex
Dining table: The Conran Shop; sofa: Seven Salotti’s Naviglio, Arflex
The bathroom is in the north wing of the house, on the other side of the courtyard. A big window brings in lots of light and air, and it makes the room look spacious.
The wall behind the toilet is made of Towada stone, and the floor is solid walnut, which has a nice texture for bare feet. The sink countertop is made of marble, while the cabinet doors are white-stained, straight-grained oak. Yuki stores cosmetics in the two shallow drawers.
The wall behind the toilet is made of Towada stone, and the floor is solid walnut, which has a nice texture for bare feet. The sink countertop is made of marble, while the cabinet doors are white-stained, straight-grained oak. Yuki stores cosmetics in the two shallow drawers.
The floor by the bathtub is tile, with a band of Towada stone. Yuki likes that the floor doesn’t feel cold on bare feet. The bathtub, imported by Fonte Trading, can be moved for easy cleaning.
“I used all kinds of materials and equipment in this house, so I could try them out myself. This house works as a showroom for my clients,” Yuki says.
“I used all kinds of materials and equipment in this house, so I could try them out myself. This house works as a showroom for my clients,” Yuki says.
“I used to work in the bedroom, but not in this house,” she says. The pristine bedroom on the third floor is a completely private space. The walls are plastered with diatomaceous earth (a kind of sedimentary rock), and the wood is ash. The sheer curtains by Creationbaumann add a touch of green.
Since the ceiling isn’t very high, low beds were made to order for the space. The couple’s closet extends the length of the wall, with a hanger rail and space for bags on the top and drawers on the bottom. The closet is spacious enough to allow clothes to be separated by season.
Since the ceiling isn’t very high, low beds were made to order for the space. The couple’s closet extends the length of the wall, with a hanger rail and space for bags on the top and drawers on the bottom. The closet is spacious enough to allow clothes to be separated by season.
The Zettel’z chandelier by Ingo Maurer and a pouf by Paola Lenti create a fun and relaxing space.
The third floor offers views of the lush green trees, the glistening river and Mount Fuji far in the background.
The owners note that having a green strip closer to the home connects to the green farther away, uniting foreground and background. That’s why they planted grass along the edge of the balcony.
The third floor offers views of the lush green trees, the glistening river and Mount Fuji far in the background.
The owners note that having a green strip closer to the home connects to the green farther away, uniting foreground and background. That’s why they planted grass along the edge of the balcony.
The fun part of the U-shaped layout is that you can see inside the other rooms.
“I don’t mind getting up early in this house, and I discovered my new hobby, fishing,” Sai says.
“Inside and outside, this house is comfortable wherever you are,” Yuki says. “Being surrounded by things I like, not only the furniture and the interior, but the materials, the colors … I feel completely relaxed. Since my job requires me to stay in the house for long periods of time, living in a stress-free house gives me great mental relief.”
Yuki designs houses that stay true to the people who live in them and to the surrounding landscape. Her homes are full of features that make living enjoyable: A part of one house is designed like a greenhouse, a tree grows inside another, and a room in yet another house is designed like a classroom.
Above all, she gives a lot of thought to day-to-day housework and stress-free storage.
“I don’t mind getting up early in this house, and I discovered my new hobby, fishing,” Sai says.
“Inside and outside, this house is comfortable wherever you are,” Yuki says. “Being surrounded by things I like, not only the furniture and the interior, but the materials, the colors … I feel completely relaxed. Since my job requires me to stay in the house for long periods of time, living in a stress-free house gives me great mental relief.”
Yuki designs houses that stay true to the people who live in them and to the surrounding landscape. Her homes are full of features that make living enjoyable: A part of one house is designed like a greenhouse, a tree grows inside another, and a room in yet another house is designed like a classroom.
Above all, she gives a lot of thought to day-to-day housework and stress-free storage.
“Houses shouldn’t immediately be at their best once completed,” Yuki says. “I always try to design them so that the personalities of the people who live in them shine through: The house should become better and better the longer you live in it. So I take my time to understand what kind of life the client wants, what he or she likes, and I propose materials and spaces that will mature with time.
“I hope looking at our house gives you ideas for your dream house. The houses that will be created in this studio, the chemistry between the people that meet here and, moreover, what this house will be like a few years down the road … are all exciting to imagine. Both working and living in this house are a joy. It’s a place that makes us think home is the best place in the world.”
Contractor: Takamasa Construction
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
More home tours: Apartments | Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | All
“I hope looking at our house gives you ideas for your dream house. The houses that will be created in this studio, the chemistry between the people that meet here and, moreover, what this house will be like a few years down the road … are all exciting to imagine. Both working and living in this house are a joy. It’s a place that makes us think home is the best place in the world.”
Contractor: Takamasa Construction
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
More home tours: Apartments | Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | All
House at a Glance
Location: Tokyo
Size: 1,582 square feet (147 square meters)
Architect: Studio CY