This small villa opens onto the surrounding landscape from a steep, forested site near Karuizawa, Japan. The building is set into the rolling countryside, where its glass facade frames views of the mountains and brings the scenery deep into the interior.
A Villa That Opens Onto The Landscape
Designed for a couple of musicians, the villa was conceived as a flexible retreat that could also function as a gallery for contemporary art, a small salon for music, and a place to entertain friends. The owners did not want visible wood, so the architects created a crisp, minimal interior in which glass, mirrors, polished stainless steel, and white surfaces reflect both light and landscape.
The south-facing glass wall is especially important to the design. It strengthens the connection between inside and outside, fills the rooms with daylight, and gives the compact building a much larger sense of space.
A Small Villa Or An Art Gallery In Nature?
Because the owners collect contemporary art, the main living area was planned as an open, light-filled room where sculptures and paintings can be displayed. The neutral palette and generous glazing make the room feel closer to a private gallery than a conventional holiday house.
The other spaces are connected to the living area through large glass walls. The compact villa is furnished with great restraint, while everyday functions such as the kitchen and bathroom are built into the floor in a characteristically precise Japanese manner.
Project by Makoto Yamaguchi Design
Modern minimalist interior design
miranda_shida
Anna Lohan
Taus Kishiev
