A private balcony is concealed behind the black galvanised steel exterior of this house in Yao, Japan, by architect Yosuke Ichii.
The screened terrace is situated on the middle floor of the three-storey Hi House, revealed on the facade by a narrow window at ankle-height.
This cantilevering balcony shelters the front door and driveway.
Living and dining areas occupy the first floor of the house, whilst bedrooms are located above and below.
A rectangular opening in the roof reveals another balcony on the top floor.
Yosuke Ichii previously completed a house in Osaka in collaboration with Isolation Unit - see our earlier story.
Other popular Japanese houses published this month on Dezeen include one with a circulating route of staircases and another resembling a half-submerged submarine - see all our stories about Japanese houses here.
Photography is by Takumi Ota.
Here's some more information from the architect:
Hi house
1 division is lotted in the narrow area at this place developed in 1970's.
Each housing is built by the biggest volume and equals, it's an uptown which crowds.
Strip stairs are installed in the center of the building, it's made void space and a big skylight is being put on the upper part.
Light shines from there to the first floor hall, enveloped in soft light throughout.
To open and shut a window electrically, a void will be stack effect, and for air to flow and discharge collected heat around the ceiling, a new wind is to enter from a lower floor, and you can have time comfortably.
Privacy from a neighborhood is protected by making the wall in the balcony which connects with a living room expensive, and even if many people gather, a relative and my friend have secured the enough size for one room space including an outside deck.
The simple space where the eyes don't stop to put it in the wall using a transformed pillar as 200x100 is being produced.
The light and open space which can't be imagined from the outward appearance is spread in the interior, is narrow and is the housing which doesn't make a built-up area feel by controlling sunlight, a breeze and the eyes.
Location : Osaka Prefecture
Japan architects : Yosuke Ichii
Architect structural engineers : Takashi Manda Structural Engineer
Site area : 74.10 m²
Building area : 51.60 m² total
Floor area : 125.24 m²
First floor area : 38.90 m²
Second floor area : 46.03 m²
Third floor area : 40.31 m²
Structure : steel frame, 3 stories
Completion date : September, 2010
Family composition : grand mother and couple and brother
Photo : Takumi Ota
Click above for larger image
Click above for larger image
