With My Great Outdoors in full swing we wanted to highlight some architecture that made good use of the outdoors. Tezuka Architects in Japan created this modern wonder--a house that is all but missing its four walls. This house brings the outdoors in by eliminating the distinction between indoors and out. Like a previous housetour, the house is surrounded by lush foliage and relies on the garden for privacy.

Built in 2000 in Japan, the house is supported by a central core that allows for glass walls on all sides. The vertical nature of the house gives the occupants plenty of space for living and with windows at every turn, the link to the outside is clear. Walking up the stairs one sees sky, walking downstairs one can see the garden.

For more indoor/outdoor inspiration, see some of their other buildings: The Floating Roof House and The Balcony House.

(Image: Tezuka Architects)