Designed to be two plinths floating above the ground, the amount of glass required for this house presented some very practical structural challenges. Earthquake regulations in Japan exert a huge influence over design due to the amount of cross bracing in the walls. In order to achieve the client’s request, a bonding technique was applied in the post and beams, never before used in residential Hokkaido construction.
The result is impressive – the huge panes of glass and corners unfettered by walls make for a truly inside/outside experience. Located on a 7.5 hectare estate overlooking the Shiribetsu River in Niseko, the clients really experience Hokkaido’s nature to the fullest.