Architectural dialogue between cedar and metal for the Hiyoku home, a backdrop of Japan's snow-capped mountains
Architectural dialogue between cedar and metal for the Hiyoku home, a backdrop of Japan's snow-capped mountains

Architectural dialogue between cedar and metal for the Hiyoku home, a backdrop of Japan's snow-capped mountains

Hiyoku, a two-story private home 2 km west of the city of Niseko, opens its view to the Shiribetsu River and ski slopes surrounded by the trees of the mountains in the distance and ideally blends with Japan's mountainous landscape

A roof appears as a wing; below, the vertical surfaces of the facades creating an energetic interaction between the sharp sheet metal and warmth of the Dounan cedar, combining with the random width of the spans to reflect the trees around it: this is how Hiyoku's architecture presents itself and integrates into the landscape that welcomes it

Architectural dialogue between cedar and metal for the Hiyoku home, a backdrop of Japan's snow-capped mountains

DAIDA Design's client wanted the natural scenery to become an integral part of the architecture by combining a modern design using materials such as wood, steel and concrete.
The structure of the building is made of steel and the floors, walls and ceilings are made of wood, except for the main beams. The exterior combines the warm expression of cedar with the sharp expression of sheet metal while accentuating each other's strengths

Architectural dialogue between cedar and metal for the Hiyoku home, a backdrop of Japan's snow-capped mountains

The shape of the building is based upon the intention of capturing the views of the spectacular panorama: the first façade you find when you arrive at the house has a low, horizontal opening that provides privacy, while to the east the building opens into a 3-meter window that projects the gaze towards the mountains. On the sides, other openings positioned above bring in light and air.
DAIDA Design's project won the 2018 Beihai Steel Design Award and an honorable mention from IDA Design Awards

Architectural dialogue between cedar and metal for the Hiyoku home, a backdrop of Japan's snow-capped mountains

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