makoto suzuki's house in tokiwa comprises a series of timber-clad cabins

on hokkaido, the northernmost of japan’s main islands, architect makoto suzuki has built himself a home that contains his work space as well as a number of other different functions. located in a rural area outside of sapporo, the dwelling comprises a series of timber-clad volumes that also house his wife’s office, his father’s weekend villa, and a studio for sculptor takenobu igarashi. the programs are spread out and organized around a shared communal space at the center of the plan.

all images by koji sakai

makoto suzuki’s design allows residents to benefit from the house’s natural surroundings. the kitchen has large openings that offer sweeping views across the forest floor, while the bedrooms have been conceived as more intimate nest-like settings. in order to reduce the visual scale of the property, the architect designed a series of interconnected, modestly proportioned volumes that merge with the woodland backdrop.

the house is located in a rural area outside of sapporo

for the architect, it was important that those living in the house could appreciate the region’s changing seasons. large windows present generous external views, while allowing daylight to penetrate deep into the home. through these apertures, residents can witness the falling leaves in autumn and the heavy snowfall in winter. at the rear of the property, the green-roofed volumes extend out into the landscape, immersing the house within the trees of the forest.

the kitchen has large openings that offer sweeping views across the forest floor

the dwelling also contains a range of different work spaces

the living areas are located at the center of the home

the green-roofed volumes extend out into the landscape

the modestly proportioned volumes merge with the woodland backdrop

it was important that those living in the house could appreciate the region’s changing seasons

the centrally positioned kitchen illuminated at night

residents can benefit from the house’s natural surroundings

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