Hiyoku, a two-story villa located 2 km west of the town of Niseko, offers views of the Shiribetsu River and ski slopes surrounded by trees of the distant mountains, blending harmoniously with the Japanese mountain landscape
A roof appears like a wing where underneath the vertical surfaces of the facades engage in an energetic dialogue between the sharp metal sheet and the warmth of Dounan cedar. The random width of the panels echoes the vertical pattern of the surrounding vegetation, making Hiyoku's architecture perfectly integrated into the welcoming landscape.
The client of DAIDA Design Studio wanted the natural scenery to become an integral part of the architecture, starting from a modern design that used a mix of materials such as wood, steel, and concrete.
The studio, specialized in architectural projects that relate interior and exterior environments, constructs the building structure in steel and the floors, walls, and ceilings in wood, except for the main beams. The exterior combines the warm expression of cedar with the sharpness of sheet metal, accentuating each other's strengths.
The overall shape of the building is determined by the intention to capture views of the spectacular surrounding panorama.
The first element encountered upon entering the residence is a wall with low, horizontal openings that provide privacy, while to the east, the structure opens up with a 3-meter glass window that projects the gaze towards the mountains. Laterally, other openings positioned at the top welcome light and air.
This DAIDA Design project won the Beihai Steel Design Award in 2018 and received an honorable mention from the IDA Design Awards.
