Clever Farm House With an Elevated Yard Reconnects With Nature

<a href="http://inhabitat.com/2009/10/06/mason-lane-farm-showcases-beautiful-bamboo-construction/" target="_blank">Farms</a> need practical, hard-working homes, where machinery and equipment can easily be moved without messing things up. At the same time though, when you're done with work in the fields, the last thing you probably want to look at is a bunch of equipment. This ingenious residential home, called <a href="http://www.archifarm.jp/archi.cgi?mode=html&amp;page=24#" target="_blank">Sprout</a>, was designed and built for a family who wanted a yard, but needed it to be practical. <a href="http://www.archifarm.jp/" target="_blank">Studio Archi Farm</a>, a Japan-based architecture firm, came up with the idea to elevate the yard, which doubles as a car port and keeps the machinery out of view from the main living area.

The home's design constraints required a way to deal with eight large farm vehicles and a large gravel parking area.

The homeowners didn't want to see their vehicles while in their home, preferring beautiful views of their farm and woodland beyond.

Studio Arch Farm came up with a clever idea to create a car port/yard on the second story to hide the vehicles from site while inside the house.

Now when the owners are in their kitchen or living room all they can see is a beautiful yard and their farmland beyond.

In essence the new yard creates a new "ground" level, with utility and parking underground and living space above ground.

Now all 8 vehicles can be parked underneath the yard, which is supported by columns.

Utility and sleeping space are located "underground"

Inside, the home is simply finished with clean white walls and natural wood finishes.

The upstairs story contains the kitchen, living room and dining area.

Tons of natural light streams in through the windows, creating 360 degree views from inside.

Large overhangs protect the second story windows, providing shade to help keep the house cool.

Water is pumped up through the house to the roof, where sprinklers water the lawn.

Pumping the cold well water up through the house also provides cooling.

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