TOTO Karuizawa Villa Japan Project

November 05, 2024

The owner of the Karuizawa Villa wanted to build an open architecture that blends with nature. To achieve this, the brilliant designer Yukio Hashimoto designed deck-shaped balconies not only on the ground floor but also on one side of the bathroom on the first floor. Since the villa is surrounded by walls on three sides, there is no need to worry about privacy. You can even cool yourself off and enjoy a quiet, relaxing moment after bathing on a nice day. On one side of the bathtub, a large stone table is placed to place vases and other decorations. The owner can even sit or lie on it when he feels like it. Mr. Hashimoto, who is particularly skillful in taking advantage of the "empty space" decided by the owner's inclination, has let it blend naturally into the design of the house.

Blessed with trees planted from the ground up in a 900 square meter courtyard, the Karuizawa Villa is naturally surrounded by greenery. To ensure a sense of spaciousness, Mr. Hashimoto chose a cylindrical steel structure to expand the view and create a beautiful view—no matter which corner of the room, the lush green scenery can be enjoyed. Stone tiles on the floors and walls are applied in both the spacious bathroom and the dressing room with glass walls in this building. The simple feel of the stone material makes the entire space feel light and natural. Through the north-facing windows, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the scenery in a good mood.

TOTO

The public areas and living rooms are located on the ground floor, while the private living areas are located on the first floor. In the southeast corner of the ground floor, including the kitchen and living room of about 90 square meters, is surrounded by an L-shaped balcony of about 70 square meters. The large balcony faces the courtyard with a 2.5 meter deep eaves, so whether it is a stormy day or a hot day; this “outdoor room” can still be fully used. When the owner looks out from the two French windows, the deep eaves precisely adjust the light and shade to make the outside area more lush. Different types of stone and wood, along with many natural materials add depth to this area and give residents a poetic life here.