miurashin architect + associates: house at the mountain

'house at mountain' by miurashin architect + associates in karuizawa, japan
all images courtesy miurashin architect + associates
image © daici ano


tokyo-based practice miurashin architect + associates has sent us images of 'house at mountain',
a multi-storey dwelling set on a hillside in karuizawa, japan. heavily influenced by the lush scenery and
presence of trees, the design aims to establish a sense of balance on the steep site by orienting the interior
with a mixture of vertical posts and windows.



in context
image © daici ano


geometric in form, the dark-stained house is described and revealed in volumes: from the upper road level,
a small bridge leads to the top storey of the dwelling which conceals itself as a pavilion-like structure
among the trees. the design lengthens as the land lowers and again terminates with a small footprint to
lightly rest on the topography. large windows facing southwards establish views of the trees from the crown
to their base.



image © daici ano



bridge from upper road
image © daici ano



entrance
image © daici ano


conceived as an abstraction of the forest itself, the interior is finished with exposed framework which
wraps around the walls and ceiling. the communal programs are linearly arranged on the middle floor
and benefit from the natural sunlight gained through the floor to ceiling windows. establishing a sense of connection between the inhabitants and the forest, the gradually widening floor shape projects the interior outwards. on the roof level, a generous outdoor space is generated through a series of tiered stages. 



interior view
image © daici ano



from kitchen
image © daici ano



image © daici ano



wooden framework
image © daici ano



bedroom
image © daici ano



stairs from bedroom
image © daici ano



void space between living space and bedroom
image © daici ano



roof terrace from bathroom
image © daici ano



tiered stages
image © daici ano



view from room
image © daici ano



roof at night
image © daici ano



floor plan / level +2



floor plan / level +1



floor plan / level 0



longitudinal section