A Small Beautiful House Concept and Exterior “A Small Beautiful House” is a residence designed to evoke the serene presence of a small art museum, distinguished by its deep eaves. The exterior design began with a pursuit of harmony with the surrounding environment and balanced proportions. Through iterative sketches, a composition of low, horizontal eaves on the street side paired with restrained openings was chosen to create a simple yet refined aesthetic. The eaves guide the eye and are carefully positioned to avoid overlapping with the box-like volumes, resulting in a clear and organized exterior despite the potentially complex plan. By leveraging the height difference between two volumes, high windows on the southeast side effectively capture natural light. The courtyard maximizes southern light, with large corner openings ensuring privacy without curtains. Interior window heights are set at 1800mm, complemented by exterior planting to mitigate noise from nearby apartments. The interplay of deep eaves and planting creates shadows that lend the home tranquility and depth. Architectural Intent and Project Background “A Small Beautiful House” is a challenge to balance functionality and beauty within a constrained site. The light and shadow cast by deep eaves and high windows, the openness of the courtyard, and the flexible spatial configuration enabled by island-like storage units offer residents serenity and richness. This building was realized as a collaborative project with Iwami Construction under the R+house initiative. By merging their technical expertise and design philosophies, the project achieved a residence that combines the elegance of an art museum with everyday comfort, aspiring to be a memorable sanctuary for its inhabitants. Project Details Completion: April 2025 Location: Masuda City, Shimane Prefecture Use: Single-family residence Structure and Method: Wooden single-story frame construction Floor Area: 81.15 m² Project Type: New construction Contractor: Iwami Construction Co., Ltd. Produced by: R+house