Soon after the owner of Genkoh embarked on her journey to build her home in Niseko, she climbed to the top of Mt Yotei.
“When we look at Mt Yotei, it’s looking back at us,” she says. “So I wanted to climb to the top and look back at my land. It was a way for me to show my respect.”
Located just a few minutes’ drive from Niseko Village Ski Resort, amidst the farmlands of northern Soga, the palatial, 660sqm home sits in a forest just below a ridgeline that faces Niseko’s iconic volcano.
”The roofline of the three-storey house falls below the ridge's peak, meaning it is totally hidden from view – unless, of course, you’re on the peak of Yotei looking down
“I think Mt Yotei is the signature symbol of Niseko,” the owner says. “It reminds me every minute that I’m here. From most of the houses I stayed at in Niseko in the past, the view was often partially blocked and not as pure. This site allows a full, unobstructed view and I’m just so happy with it.”
The opportunity to maximise the impact of the Yotei view were clear to architect Kenichiro Endo. From the moment you walk in the entrance, the full spectacle of the volcano’s symmetrical form fills a double-storey, floor-to-ceiling wall of windows. In every living space and every bedroom, the view is similarly framed.
”“In the plan, we focused on making the best use of the view of Mt Yotei, enjoying the beauty of the light and the changing seasons, and aiming to integrate it with the rich natural environment
Kenichiro EndoArchitect
“The layout of the building takes advantage of the horizontality that stretches north and south along the sloping ridgeline. As you enter, you’re facing Mt. Yotei through the atrium. On the second floor, the master bedroom offers the best panorama of Mt Yotei and Mt Niseko Annupuri (the ski mountain).
Endo-san describes Genkoh as a terrace floating in the forest.
“It’s a home with a sense of unity that connects spaces that resonate with the five senses,” Endo-san says. “It’s a lifestyle space where you can fully enjoy nature and be connected to the forest. We aimed for beautiful architecture suitable for modern luxury that floats lightly in the world of green in summer and white in winter, which changes with the seasons.”
Project Manager Paul Nikel of West Canada Homes said the dramatic landscape of the property inspired the project.
“We drew upon our 25 years of experience, focusing on our unchanging commitments of being thoughtful, innovative and refined, and engaged with the client to consider the power of the landscape and the quality of the light to create an inspiring home that our client and her family will be proud of for many years. It was a very collaborative and enjoyable process, as building in Niseko should be.”
The owner decided to build Genkoh as a holiday home after finding it harder and harder to book accommodation each holiday. Some of her friends now refer to Niseko as their second home, and she says she may end up living here with her family full time.
“We found that everyone was enjoying it here so much, whether it was winter or summer,” she says. “We really spend a lot of time there, so I thought if we build a house of our own we can visit any time we want.”
This article appeared in Powderlife 2023
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