LL House: Tokyo Style Inspired by the Annupuri Landscape

Increasingly, lifestyle investors are looking to the outskirts of Hirafu and beyond for unencumbered blocks of land to build their dream homes.

The village at the resort of Annupuri is designated quasi-national park, restricting development and ensuring larger lot sizes, while still being within walking distance to lifts and restaurants.

Its owner chose Annupuri for the very reasons listed above. They wanted a unique house in terms of architectural style, but without sacrificing functionality. The house needed to be user-friendly for accommodating small groups of family and friends, or hosting a lot of people for parties for adults and children. It also had to be equally as liveable in summer as winter.

Architect Nobvhiko Kishimoto grew up in Asahikawa in central Hokkaido before moving to Tokyo, so while working amongst the modern design trends of the capital, he understood well the four-season environment LL House would be built into. He used this environment to inspire the design.

“The famous author CS Lewis said he imagined a range of pictures in his mind before he started writing a book,” Kishimoto-san says. “I follow a similar process, which started after I met the client. I wanted to be inspired by the environment of the site and from the client, not from other architects.”

Kishimoto-san wanted to ensure the house wasn’t a typical ski resort log house or a big glass box. He wanted to ensure it used natural materials and was a cosy winter retreat for spending long periods of time when not on the mountain.

The owner wanted a house where they could cook and entertain, with space for a number of people to stay if required. Paramount was a cosy living room to spend winter evenings. The dining and living areas are separated by a split level under the one curved ceiling in the same space, ensuring the areas are related and not removed from each other.