Yatsugatake Villa Residence

Yatsugatake Villa Residence is an architecturally significant vacation house situated in the foothills of Mt. Yatsugatake in Hokuto-City, Yamanashi, Japan, exemplifying a harmonious blend of contemporary design principles with traditional Japanese construction methods. Designed by Kiyotoshi Mori and Natsuko Kawamura and completed in 2012, this Bronze A' Design Award-winning structure features an innovative fan-shaped design that opens towards the south, maximizing natural sunlight during winter months while incorporating intelligent shading solutions for summer comfort. The residence, spanning a total floor area of 110.01 square meters across two levels, is characterized by three distinctive trapezoid tubes that frame the surrounding landscape in four directions, creating a dynamic interplay between interior spaces and the natural environment. The architectural composition demonstrates exceptional environmental consciousness through its meticulous consideration of seasonal sun patterns, precipitation, and thermal dynamics. Traditional Japanese elements, including shoji screens and ranma partitions, are seamlessly integrated into the modern design, creating versatile spaces that alternate between soft, diffused light and panoramic views of the mountain ranges. The structure employs indigenous Japanese cedar and traditional plastering techniques, successfully preserving cultural building practices while addressing contemporary challenges such as earthquake resistance and climate control. The design's sophisticated approach to environmental adaptation is evident in its extended roof and protruding side walls, which provide natural shade during summer months while allowing warming sunlight during winter, complemented by strategically placed windows that facilitate natural ventilation through cross-breezes.

Author: Adam Dawson

Keywords: Japanese architecture, sustainable design, mountain villa, traditional craftsmanship, environmental adaptation, contemporary residential design

SOURCES:
https://competition.adesignaward.com/129187

Help us improve the Design+Encyclopedia, contribute your alternative definition for Yatsugatake Villa Residence today!

About the Design+Encyclopedia
The Design+Encyclopedia is a crowd-sourced reference of information on design. Unlike other crowd-sourced publications on design, the Design Encyclopedia is edited and actively monitored and publishing is only possible after review of submitted texts. Furthermore, editors of the Design Encyclopedia are mostly consisting of award winning designers who have proven their expertise in their design respective fields. Information posted at design encyclopedia is copyrighted, you are not granted a right to use the text for any commercial reasons, attribution is required. If you wish to contribute to the design encyclopedia, please first register or login to A' Design Award and then start a new design encyclopedia entry.