One of the most unique new designer chalets in Niseko this winter is Odile, the first stage – or act, it could be said – of a twin-chalet passion project by boutique developer 22ème, in conjunction with prominent local architect Nakayama Architects.
Fans of ballet may recognise Odile as the name of the black swan from Swan Lake – a theme inspired by Niseko’s sister city connection to the Swiss ski resort village of St Moritz and its feature lake. The building soon to be built opposite and mirroring Odile, will be Odette. As per the ballet’s storyline, Odile the black swan takes on darker, brooding characteristics than will its counterpart Odette, to be completed at an undetermined time in the near future.
”Designed purely for entertainment-filled Niseko holidays, Odile oozes style and designer chic, and then doubles up on comfort and amenity.
The top floor living space set amongst the tree tops is the pinnacle of the property both literally and figuratively. Separated and joined to the kitchen by a monolithic 4m-long concrete table, the raised living room is one of the coolest and cosiest après entertaining spaces in Niseko. Anyone using the kitchen can converse freely with others at the bench-style table or relaxing into the lounge suite. You will fall in love with this space.
”On the outside, Odile is clad in dark, charred oak, and the next striking material that greets visitors is rough-hewn concrete encasing the ground floor level.
The same concrete theme carries on down an entrance passageway, before meeting a steel girded front door. Following a formal Japanese entrance with small Zen garden, a staircase zigzags up to the following floor, with full-height windows inviting climbers to investigate the natural features and forest outside. These include a beautiful maple tree which changes colour and character throughout the year, and around which the twin houses’ footprints were drawn, dictating the final shape of the buildings.
The master bedroom and an equally impressive second bedroom take up either side of the staircase on the second floor, while on a split level between here and the top floor is the third bedroom.
This article appeared in Powderlife 2020
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