The protruding entrance lobby of this Tokyo house has a seamless frosted facade that glows with diffused light.

Top and above: photograph is by Satoshi Shigeta

Named Cube Court House, the three-storey residence by Japanese architects Shinichi Ogawa & Associates encloses a central courtyard and tree.

Above: photograph is by Satoshi Shigeta

A large double-height room occupies the majority of the ground floor, accommodating a kitchen, lounge and dining area.

Two-storey-high glass walls on both sides of the courtyard permit views across from this living room towards bedrooms on the ground and first floors.

A glazed sunroof is the only room on the top floor and opens out onto a terrace overlooking the courtyard below.

You can also see more projects by the same architects here, including a long narrow house divided lengthways.

Photography is by SOA, apart from where otherwise stated.

Above: photograph is by Satoshi Shigeta

Here's some more text from Shinichi Ogawa & Associates:

Cube Court House (S Residence)

Within a calm residential area in Tokyo, this house has the two contrasting faces: an intimate, introverted, closed house with courtyard and an outward looking, open glasshouse above.

A tall wall of frosted glass on the principal façade brings sunlight into the entrance hall, through which the LDK room is accessed.

The large courtyard is bounded on the North by the LDK and on the opposite side the children’s room and master bedroom.

The small courtyard is placed for the bathroom and the toilets, interrupting the eyes. Totally closed toward the neighborhood, the cubic courtyard connects these modestly sized rooms indirectly, creating a sense of togetherness, while providing a comfortable, spacious living environment; well ventilated, filled with sunlight and connected to the changing seasons.

In contrast, the 3rd floor glazed penthouse and a roof top terrace are perfectly opened towards the city.

Project name: CUBE COURT HOUSE
Completion: 2010
Location: Tokyo, Japan

Program: residence
Structural system: reinforced concrete, steel frame

Site area: 177.72 sqm
Building area: 88.75 sqm
Total floor space: 154.60 sqm