ABD Architecture LLC: Project Management & Design For Projects In Japan

Niseko is setting a new standard for high-end residential design and the residential property market in Japan. French engineer turned architect, Franck Giral, wants to expand his niche in Niseko designing high-end lifestyle homes for today’s modern international ski traveller, and bring it to the domestic market.

Why are homes generally of higher quality in Niseko than the rest of Japan?

This is quite simple – it comes from two seemingly contradictory factors. Properties in Japan depreciate and in a matter of decades can lose all market and accounting value. This doesn’t incentivise quality building, particularly for the housing market. On the other hand, foreigners who invest in Niseko or Furano want the property they buy or build to have lasting quality.

What goes into building a quality home in Niseko?

The quality of homes in Niseko first comes from getting the property right for Niseko’s heavy snow. This means an adequate roof design, space for snow clearing and at a minimum a dry room.

It’s also about the boring technical details, like where to put and hide kerosene tanks and air conditioning. There is now also a clear, moral obligation for sustainable buildings.

For me, this starts with a style that is almost timeless, or trendless, to avoid the trap of the smartphone-like “consumable” style of Japanese houses.

Then with sound structure, waterproofing and a better insulation design. Finally, we must exceed our clients’ expectations with top-notch services and unmatched design.

How long have you been in Niseko and how did you end up working here?

Well, I have now been doing project management here for 15 years, and started ABD two years ago to propose project management, consulting and design services in Niseko, Furano and Hokkaido.

But before coming to Japan I worked as an engineer in France, before moving to China where I built warehouses. This was a first step into Asia for me – I picked up the language and learned a lot about the country, but I was always interested in working in Japan after growing up learning karate.

After moving to Yokohama in 2007, I learned about Niseko and moved up here soon after to work on a USD 100 million project with Nisade. My father lives in the very scenic Pyrenees mountains and I’ve always been a mountain person, so working in Niseko was a good fit at the time.

What sort of work and projects have you done in Niseko?

I’ve worked on projects like The Orchards, Aruku-zaka Street, Koa Niseko and Intuition. Koa was one of my favourite to work on – we had a tight schedule and a spread-out team, so with many moving parts it was challenging and rewarding. Aruku-zaka Street is an exciting development and I hope it sees the light of day.

How did you go from being an engineer to an architect, and what advantages does experience in both fields have?

It’s always been a dream of mine to become an architect. I started my career as an engineer. In France, architecture and engineering are two separate worlds that interface on construction projects. In Japan, many architects have a technical background. By studying hard enough I was able to get my architect’s license in 2012.

I still have a passion for engineering, in particular structural engineering. I have found that many architects have little interest in the technical aspect of their own projects. I have seen columns added under a cantilever because the structural engineer said so, and the location of air conditioning units left to the builder.

Where do you see architecture and design heading in Niseko?

I believe there is a clear demand for larger and higher end villas and chalets in Niseko. A few years ago I went to the US to visit an architect whose style I admire, and he showed me a 4,000m²/ USD 40 million chalet. There is a clear market for this type of property and I want to be part of it.

I like the clean, straight lines of modern architecture, but I prefer the complexity of sprawling villas with a more contemporary design. They don’t look as bulky, and they blend into the natural environment of Niseko better. I look forward to designing such properties.

I love the freedom in the architectural style in Japan. As long as you are within the technical regulation restrictions, you can design almost anything. This allows for a tremendous freedom of creativity.