Karuizawa House

Karuizawa House is a luxurious wellness retreat designed as a private villa embedded in the forest. Local highland textures proliferate throughout the design including stone boulders and rocky elements to reflect Mount Asama nearby while an elevated wood structure rests on top to recall the tree canopy and the edge condition of Karuizawa, a city where the forest meets the mountain. Wood finishes bring a moody warmth and balance to the palette. The indoor and outdoor threshold dissolves throughout the project with the onsen that weaves inside and outside the building, the framed views to the garden, and the porches on all sides that allow outdoor connections for every space.