Beyond The Hill is a residence located in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan, that is more than just your typical house with an office. The client hired Kazuhiko Kishimoto / acaa to design a house on a lot that faces a steep slope with a bit of an unusual request – to include a small gallery. The house was not to just have a gallery, it had to be a gallery open to the entire town community.

To achieve the request, Kishimoto designed the house to “float” with the only grounded room being the gallery.

Surrounding the gallery is an open, sunny wooden deck for the town to enjoy.

Built into the deck is a round hollow hole that acts as a bench for people to sit on and enjoy a meal. The underground space can also double as an outdoor gallery.

The wooden deck helps merge the internal and external ares of the house, helping to create a seamless feel.

Staircases lead to the residential and office areas.

Just off the kitchen is a space that you can sit and view the wooded area just outside the massive window.

In the kitchen, a wide countertop was used to accommodate cooking classes that the homeowner organizes.

The uneven flooring allows for extra seating throughout the public spaces. On the edges of the stairs, there are also spaces for people to sit.

The windows provide such amazing patterns on the walls when the sun filters in.

All photos by Hiroshi Ueda except where noted.