Like blending ice and fire, Suiboku’s designers brought the cold, harsh texture of concrete and blended it with a warm, inviting interior to create one of Niseko’s premier luxury condominium apartments.
Suiboku’s eclectic, industrial, loft-style interiors were revolutionary when they were introduced to the Hirafu accommodation landscape.
Having stood proudly on Hirafu Zaka in the centre of the village for almost a decade, Suiboku still holds its own today.
As is so often the case with new construction, the ground-breaking ceremony was preceded by the demolition of a rundown but familiar old Hirafu building. The anticipation of what was to follow captured the town.
”When the completed building was unveiled it revealed a vivid contrast between the past and where this tiny ski village might be headed
Incorporating arguably Niseko’s most iconic izakaya A-Bu-Cha into its first floor, Suiboku immediately became part of the local community. The warm and friendly nature of the local-favourite izakaya only served to complement the clean and open space of Suiboku’s enormous ground floor.
Suiboku’s bold, harsh exterior provides a clever camouflage for what it keeps hidden inside. Entering the foyer, the double doors automatically withdraw, welcoming you to a subtly illuminated space alongside the concierge desk.
As you are escorted upstairs via the elevator, selective lighting orientation illuminates feature artworks, almost telling you a story as it leads you to your apartment. The sound of the key turning in the front door lock echoes like steel clanging in an empty concrete hall. The feeling of walking into a warehouse is everywhere as you pull an enormous metal portal open.
Stepping inside you are gently welcomed into a genkan area with an array of slippers. I forgo the slippers in order to feel the pristine timber floors that adorn the entire apartment under my feet. Dark and understated, the floors underline the apartment’s sense of style, before drawing your attention towards an almighty fixed-concrete dining table running down the centre of the room. Beyond its horizon is a sunken lounge laden with faux-fur pillows, alongside a floor-to-ceiling wall of glass, framing a perfect view of Mt Yotei every time the clouds part.
Intelligent design is everywhere throughout the building. The consideration and planning put into to the concrete craftsmanship is astounding. All light fittings and cabinetry placements are predetermined and pre-moulded so as to leave no blemish on the concrete surface whatsoever. These clues provide an insight into just how intricate and detailed the architectural and creative design process has been before embarking on construction.
Having opted for formed concrete as a construction material, the designers have been able to showcase both exceptional design and vision as well as the premium end of what is possible in Japan at the hands of the world’s finest craftsman. Long-hailed as masters of premium-finish concrete construction, Japan has led the world in the field, and while not the only example of this construction method in Niseko, Suiboku is at the head of the pack for execution and detail.
Aside from space and light being prominent features of design for the interiors, the marquee blend of concrete and softer construction materials is seamless.
A hard concrete edge meets the soft cushion of the lounge area. Everywhere you look steel and glass integrate with timber. A unique collection of antiques and other interesting objects from Japan and elsewhere capture the imagination and arouse curiosity. It feels like you’re walking into someone’s home, but at the same time like you could be exploring a boutique art gallery.
Something that is never lost as you walk through the building is the feeling that it’s been designed for people to enjoy. Perhaps a risk of delivering a building of steel, cement and glass would be that it might feel sterile or stark. Suiboku is the opposite. Board games are tucked into the shelves, there’s a special box prepared by the owners with tidbits of local knowledge inside, and handwritten phone lists and notes foster a feeling of intimacy with your environment and your hosts. I think this special touch is unique in Niseko and a testament to the affection the owners have for the property and its very lucky guests.
Walking through the lounge room, you can’t help but touch. The concrete one-piece dining table, that could easily host a party of 12, has a surface that just begs you to rub your hand along it. It’s stunning, smooth and almost soft to touch. The apartments are toasty warm thanks to under-floor heating. The couch and sunken den beg for you to launch onto the cushions and create a nest by the fire and TV, although you hardly need either. The framed views through the enormous windows are so capitvating you could be forgiven for never looking for the TV remote for your entire stay.
This article appeared in Powderlife 2017
Flip through the full magazine online now in English, Japanese or Chinese