Living in an urban or suburban area gives you access to all kinds of resources, activities, and jobs you just can’t find in rural settings. Most of the time, giving up the tranquility of nature is just the price you pay for the convenience of city life. But what if you didn’t have to choose" Those with abundant resources are capable of buying a city lot and building to suit, adding whatever greenery and natural features might fit. A swimming pool, perhaps, or a small vegetable garden. But how about your very own private creek" Typically, that would be asking too much, but Awazuku House by Studio Velocity is anything but typical.

The architects have created a little slice of paradise in the city by building artificial streams that curve through the property, almost making it feel like the residents live in a much greener Japanese version of Venice or Amsterdam. The placid body of water squeezes through the spaces between buildings, leaving slices of lawn for picnic benches, café tables, and beautiful blooming cherry trees. The precise edging and perfectly laid sod make it clear that it’s a man-made feature, but the effect nonetheless remains. There’s just something so relaxing about gazing out at the water from inside.
Take a glance at the photos of the warm wood-lined interiors, massive sliding glass walls, and natural daylight, and you might think to yourself, “yet another luxury home that’s unattainable for the vast m...