Beyond the Private Boundary: The Evolution of the Villa

Among various building typologies, the villa is traditionally the most private of spaces. Tucked away quietly in mountains or along coastlines, it offers an uninterrupted sanctuary immersed in rich natural surroundings. However, this absolute privacy often becomes a contemporary drawback, leaving valuable resources underutilized for vast periods of time.

To address this, we conceived the concept of the “Social Villa.” By weaving a semi-public space—open to remote workers and local residents—into the architectural fabric, we allow private and shared realms to coexist. This approach revitalizes the property into a dynamic hub that gives back to the community and inspires a continuous flow of shared experiences.

Breathing New Life into a Historic Artist’s Haven

The subject of this project is a traditional wooden house perched on the hills of Atami, boasting an elegant engawa (veranda) that overlooks the ocean. This residence originally belonged to a master of traditional Japanese painting (Nihonga). The client approached us with a profound question: “Could we infuse a section of the house with the spirit of a communal dining hall?” Embracing this vision, SPROUTZ Studio stepped in at the earliest conceptual stages to guide both the overarching strategy and the spatial design.

By selectively opening this underutilized villa, its gardens, and its sweeping ocean vistas to local residents, these architectural assets are rewoven into the cultural and social life of the local community. We believe this pioneering approach offers a new archetype for the second-home—redefining second-home ownership from a purely private luxury into a meaningful public statement and cultural contribution to the region.