Field House

2023
600m2
Hokkaido

日本語

Hokkaido with its climate, architecture, and agricultural landscape is the most “Western” of the Japanese prefectures, when driving between the fields sometimes you would think you are in Europe or Northern America’s countryside.

The project is part of a Farm in the southeastern part of the island. On the nearby seashore some Japanese Imperial Army Pillboxes dating back to the Meiji period resurfaced due to erosion and found in recent years.

This rural retreat, sitting on a hilly grass pasture surrounded by a forest, embraces this local eastern/western character while making its guests enjoy nature with seamless views of the landscape.

Three pentagonal stone volumes hosting the living area, main bedroom, and playroom/atelier are bridged by lower timber wings containing entrance kitchen and additional guestrooms. To celebrate the surrounding landscape the building spaces are organized horizontally, instead of cutting into the ground the building follows it, adapting to its heights.

Inspired by the pillboxes on the shore, the stone volumes are conceived as solid blocks but with extended linear carvings that challenge their solidity.

The typology of the log house, often seen in this area is reinterpreted in the connecting wings using “Blockbau” construction made by 150×150 interlocking blocks of local larch. The inner walls are not extended to the ceiling showing its entire length, enhancing the space depth.

Structural Engineer Ohno Japan
MEP Kankyo Engineering