florian busch architects: L house in hirafu

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florian busch architects: L house in hirafu

Jan 31, 2013

first image
'L house in hirofu' by florian busch architects, hokkaido, japan
image © florian busch architects
all images courtesy of florian busch architects

the 'L house' holiday home by florian busch architects is located along an ancient geological feature on a steep slope with unabated views
of mount yotei. the escarpment which hosts the concrete shear wall and wood-clad structure is an origin point for many of the projects
distinct characteristics. excavation on site would have required massive reinforced retaining walls which are very invasive to the site and
not within budget, therefore the home sits amongst the trees. just as the topography shifted and slid, so do the volumes that make up the
dwelling, as one simple rectangular box is shifted slightly and slid over another. the social functions - living room and kitchen - remain on
the top floor with an exterior deck and open-air bath. the entry level contains the private bedrooms and bathroom enjoying views of the
valley below the site. the interior is marked by honest austerity, allowing the richness of the exposed concrete and natural wood textures
rendered on simple geometries to balance with the striking exterior landscape.

snow creates an insulating layer on the roof and climbs high up the walls

view from the snw-covered site
image © florian busch architects

exterior deck with thin metal handrail
image © florian busch architects

upper level social areas with framed views of mount yotei
image © hiroyuki sudo

living room area, large windows include the exterior into the interior ambiance
image © hiroyuki sudo

image © florian busch architects

view to the exterior
image © hiroyuki sudo

(left) rough exposed concrete wall
(right) staircase of cantilevering wooden treads on thin steel members
image © florian busch architects

small windows let in light at different areas
image © florian busch architects

large sliding doors create layers of privacy
image © hiroyuki sudo

door handle detail
image © florian busch architects

image © hiroyuki sudo

lower corridor
image © hiroyuki sudo

sitting area

bathroom
image © hiroyuki sudo

aerial view

site plan

program diagram

render

project info:

location: niseko, hokkaido, japan
scope: residential, 2 floors
team: FBA: florian busch, sachiko miyazaki, tomoyuki sudo, holger pausch (intern)
structural engineering: ove arup japan (masamichi sasatani, kengo takamatsu)
contractor: sudo corporation
gross floor area: 154 m² + 44 m² terrace
structure: reinforced concrete

danny db

01.31.13

florian busch architects (4 articles)

the way the views are framed reminds me of Malaparte

overall, quite eloquent, but that bathroom… the only word that comes to mind is “dank”

dbkii says:

Jan 31, 2013

Reply
Spectacular views from the house – but the interior is dark, cold and, frankly, miserable. Why would anyone want to live there? Why not give the walls and ceilings a finish that provides a warm light environment so that those inside can enjoy the outside – in comfort.

Philip says:

Feb 02, 2013

Reply

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LOG IN VIA

florian busch architects (4 articles)

florian busch architects: L house in hirafu

two pure volumes create a relationship with each other that mirrors the geological characteristic of the (read more)

florian busch architects: house that opens up to its inside

the housing case study aims to solve space issues in an increasingly dense suburbia in order to assure (read more)

florian busch architects: 'A' house in kisami

far from the urban life of tokyo and sited along a steep coastal hill, two stacked trapezoidal volumes (read more)

florian busch architects: house in takadanobaba

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