toshihito yokouchi builds wooden house in japan’s yatsugatake mountains

toshihito yokouchi architect & associates has completed a wooden villa for year-round use at the foot of the yatsugatake mountains in japan. the structure incorporates a tilted roof that strengthens its resistance to snow and rain, while its box-shaped outline is designed to ensure thermal efficiency during the winter months.

all images courtesy of toshihito yokouchi architect & associates

toshihito yokouchi has built the entire house out of wood and with large openings that offer unobstructed views of the surrounding forest and the adjacent mountain stream. concrete foundations have been used to balance the inclination of the site and even the floors of the interior, while they also support an outdoor platform terrace that is visually connected to the dining room inside. located on the ground floor, the fireplace acts as the heart of the house while providing heat for the rest of the areas. private spaces such as the family’s bedrooms have been placed on the upper floors, but remain visually connected to the shared rooms through interior openings on the walls. the northwest side of the house is characterized by smaller windows to protect the residence from severe winds that blow in the winter.

project info:

architect: toshihito yokouchi architect & associates

location: yatsugatake mountains, nagano prefecture, japan

total floor area: 147.4 m2

construction: ozawa building studio