go hasegawa: pilotis in a forest
go hasegawa: pilotis in a forest

'pilotis in a forest' by go hasegawa
images courtesy of go hasegawa
japanese studio go hasegawa has designed 'pilotis in a forest', a weekend house
located three hours outside of tokyo, japan. situated among a forest of mature trees,
the structure aims to co-exist with the natural landscape that surrounds it.

view of overall structure
propped 6.5 meters into the air through a series of stilts and cross braces, the dwelling
provides views above the treetops and on to the mountains in the distance. an open plaza
below is sheltered by trees that encircle the structure like walls.

the main volume, accessed by a daunting set of stairs, features large frameless windows
and a terrace that introduce the forest directly into the residence. louvered portions of the
floor and ceiling further merge the boundaries between indoors and out, entwining sight and
sounds of the forest with that of the home.

finished entirely in wood, the design - which includes a bedroom, kitchen, living room and
bathroom - provides a series of spaces that engage the visitor and accommodate a range of
programs and relationships.

looking upwards at underside of deck

entrance

kitchen

site plan

floor plan / level 0

floor plan / level 1

section
I absolutely get the idea of sitting lightly on the ground, and therefore raising the cabin up on skinny stilts. I think that is a great idea and well executed.
The problem that I see with it is that they still poured a concrete pad with foundation at the base, effectively negating the benefits of raising the cabin.
Still, quite a beautiful project
The problem that I see with it is that they still poured a concrete pad with foundation at the base, effectively negating the benefits of raising the cabin.
Still, quite a beautiful project
Donny Salami 03.02.11
It's hard not to question the structural strength of the posts. Being American, I expect to see huge over-sized supports.
David Radovanovic 03.02.11
Waawww! Very very cool!
Chris Collaris 03.02.11
i'm sure they had to cut down a few trees to pour that nice concrete car park, not to mention the driveway! the photos show the ideal bldg state as conceived by the architect, before all that messy human occupation.
wpgmb 03.02.11
The best thing I've seen in ages. Awesome!
bill 03.02.11
brutal!!!!
mury 03.02.11
really simple, and unexpectedly good.
just proves that the most basic ideas (e.g. the floating box) are the most powerful and iconic, with almost nothing added.
but I would definitely agree with the previous comments about the concrete pad killing the entire concept of the project. it would be so much nicer to deal with the earth at specific, highly elegant connection points, and really let the natural surface of the forest floor invade the footprint.
the volume is very strong as an icon, though.
I would love to see multiple cabins arranged in close proximity through the trees...
just proves that the most basic ideas (e.g. the floating box) are the most powerful and iconic, with almost nothing added.
but I would definitely agree with the previous comments about the concrete pad killing the entire concept of the project. it would be so much nicer to deal with the earth at specific, highly elegant connection points, and really let the natural surface of the forest floor invade the footprint.
the volume is very strong as an icon, though.
I would love to see multiple cabins arranged in close proximity through the trees...
rypat 03.02.11
I love this so much.
We would like to build on some property we have near the Mississippi and would love a lookout there...
Very inspirational.
We would like to build on some property we have near the Mississippi and would love a lookout there...
Very inspirational.
C. Bouzide 03.02.11
cool!
and i guess 'the floating box' is not so important in this project and moreover it must be necessary for them to make a concrete pad on this space like a plaza...it could be a kind of new space with abstractness, perhaps a sense of japanese.
nice!
and i guess 'the floating box' is not so important in this project and moreover it must be necessary for them to make a concrete pad on this space like a plaza...it could be a kind of new space with abstractness, perhaps a sense of japanese.
nice!
lenney 03.03.11
I completely agree with Donny.
tanja 03.03.11
Beautiful project! and I agree with lenney.
I feel the concrete floor is strongly needed for this open space!
I feel the concrete floor is strongly needed for this open space!
sandra 03.03.11
If the views are "above the treetops to the distant mountains" then why do all the photos merely show dense foliage? Raising the structure to this height appears to be mainly indulgent folly.
Wilkinson 03.03.11
I think Lacaton & Vassal did it better
Juan.Ma 03.03.11
the ground floor is essential!
a living room in the middle of forest creating a very nuanced atmosphere. I could agree that concrete is maybe too heavy material. maybe. but without any kind of floor it would be a completely different project. just an abstract box flying between trees and not having any specific relation to the ground. more simple and i guess not that exciting
a living room in the middle of forest creating a very nuanced atmosphere. I could agree that concrete is maybe too heavy material. maybe. but without any kind of floor it would be a completely different project. just an abstract box flying between trees and not having any specific relation to the ground. more simple and i guess not that exciting
Karlis 03.03.11
So I guess they fit waste, water and electrical inside those columns?
ia 03.03.11
pilotis? no one has thought of corbu yet?
rosca 03.04.11
COOOOOOOOOOL !!
pat 03.04.11
a very gloomy space where people would spend more time on the bottom concrete slab than anything else.
Pointless as it doesn't celebrate trees in any way.
Sad and worrying project for japanese.
Pointless as it doesn't celebrate trees in any way.
Sad and worrying project for japanese.
archic 03.05.11
so beautiful project! I wanna stay on the ground floor.
nic 03.06.11
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