Karuizawa-S
This house is situated on a 12,300 square meter plot well endowed with larch and acer trees, giant ferns that grow in this moist hilly climate. The ridge of the hill runs along the axis that connects Mt. Asama and Mt. Myogi, the two major mountain peaks around Karuizawa.
I designed the house in line with this strong axis, with living spaces arranged on the north and south of this line and wide-open views on both side to create a special relationship with the scenery. This house is a place where one can feel the sensation of being on a mountaintop.
The narrow wood deck wrapping the south side of the house feels like theater seating for viewing the majestic views beyond. At the client’s request, the kitchen and dining counter were designed to enable a person who is cooking to interact with the people in the living room and the terrace, and also enjoy the view. The counter that continues past the glass wall from the kitchen to the terrace helps bring the feeling of outdoors into the dining room.
