Beyond the dimly lit timber-framed shed facing the street, the mellow light of green catches the eyes.

The moment one steps inside, the tiled-roof building, its beams left exposed, offers a cool  embrace.

Passing through the earthen-floored passage, reminiscent of a Tori-niwa (traditional passing courtyard), one arrives at a small courtyard centered around evergreen trees.

Following the stone paving along the walls built of Romer-tuff, the entrance to the residence gradually reveals itself.

The commercial area opening onto the street serves as a showcase for the appeal of sustainable architecture,

At the same time, like a traditional Machiya, the house becomes increasingly private the deeper one moves inside.

The essence of the courtyard permeates even the timber-framed shed, gently bridging the old and new, the public and private.

Strong sunlight from the large south-east window is moderated by external blinds and the dappled shade of deciduous tall trees.

Rainwater is collected in stone jars in the garden for sprinkling on the ground, while cool breezes from the shaded courtyard between buildings are drawn into the interior.

The positive influence the garden exerts on the housing environment seems far from exhausted.