INTRO
Set within the serene forested terrain of Kitakaruizawa, this private retreat draws its architectural language from the natural rhythm of light, slope, and stone. Named after komorebi（木漏れ日）—the gentle phenomenon of sunlight filtering through trees—the project embraces the quiet poetry of nature. Two gently curving volumes trace the contours of the landscape, wrapping around central boulders (Rock #2 and Rock #5), as if the building were grown from the forest floor itself.
The structure’s monolithic base anchors it to the terrain, while fluid wooden walls and slate-shingled roofs reflect the region’s materiality and seasonal atmosphere. The plan prioritizes both serenity and sociability: private quarters nestle into the lower slope for intimacy and stillness, while the elevated living and dining areas open to panoramic forest views. A fully retractable façade allows for seamless indoor-outdoor dining, while the open-air bath and sauna immerse occupants in the sensory richness of moss, steam, and pine.
Every element—from the elevated fire terrace to the softened timber geometry—seeks harmony with the topography. Architecture here is not a statement, but a gesture: one of stillness, shelter, and deep connection with place.
