Villa/ Gallery in Karuizawa
Karuizawa is a resort town surrounded by the forest, well known as a bijou town for the summer retreat and favored by weekenders from Tokyo and the region. The Villa is located in the forest, perched on a steep slope wrapped by the snow in the winter and by the foliage in the summer, oriented to the south, looking out the magnificent views of mountains.
The Villa is one story of a polygonal building for a couple of musicians. They wanted a flexible space that could work as a villa; as a gallery for contemporary art - mainly sculptures; as a salon for music concerts; and as a place to entertain friends. To fulfill the functions, the 'blank space' was required. The kitchen and the bathroom, which are needed for functioning as a house, are built into the floor. Use of materials are requested as all wooden materials should be invisible, and as glass, mirrors and polished stainless steels reflect the light. The light flows into the interior space where no obstacles are found. The impression of the space is uniquely expanded - the white space with a plenty of void.
