Gunma, Japan – Japanese practice Ikimono Architects has created a café and residential building that merges the outdoor and indoor spaces.
The Airy House functions as a public café and a private dwelling. The spacious café area leads directly from the garden surrounding the building. Large open entrances either side of the space blur the boundary between outside and inside. Tall palm trees inside the café and an extended cobbled area leading in from the garden create a seamless transition between the spaces.
The upstairs living area features contrasting materials rather than internal walls to separate spaces. This space also seamlessly flows from one area to the next. The kitchen, bedroom and bathroom are all separated only by material and texture.
The Leanomic space is an example of how architects and designers are removing unnecessary clutter and information to create seamless, pared-back designs.