A House that Mirrors Nature
Located in the Karuizawa forest, the ‘Four Leaves Villa’ blends into the landscape thanks to its structure that imitates a pile of leaves.
‘Four Leaves Villa’ / Architect: KIAS (Kentaro Ishida Architects Studio) / Photos: Norihito Yamauchi
Designed by architectural studio KIAS (Kentaro Ishida Architects Studio), the Four Leaves Villa is a holiday home just an hour away from Tokyo by shinkansen, at the foot of the active Mount Asama volcano. It offers its guests an environment that respects nature while also being directly inspired by the surrounding forest of Karuizawa.
A house shaped by the wind
The 225 square-metre structure consists of three distinct segments, each an individual room. These intertwine and pile up to form a single villa which, seen from the sky, looks like four tree leaves blown together by the wind.
Through this system, the orientation of each room was carefully selected, without any need for compromise. The living/dining room faces southeast to capture the daylight, while the west-facing rooms overlook the forest and offer a more intimate atmosphere. The wooden materials and white colour scheme chosen for the interior décor extend the feeling of the serenity of the space.
Four Leaves Villa (2018), a creation by architectural studio KIAS, is available on its website.
‘Four Leaves Villa’ / Architect: KIAS (Kentaro Ishida Architects Studio) / Photos: Norihito Yamauchi
‘Four Leaves Villa’ / Architect: KIAS (Kentaro Ishida Architects Studio) / Photos: Norihito Yamauchi
‘Four Leaves Villa’ / Architect: KIAS (Kentaro Ishida Architects Studio) / Photos: Norihito Yamauchi
‘Four Leaves Villa’ / Architect: KIAS (Kentaro Ishida Architects Studio) / Photos: Norihito Yamauchi
‘Four Leaves Villa’ / Architect: KIAS (Kentaro Ishida Architects Studio) / Photos: Norihito Yamauchi
‘Four Leaves Villa’ / Architect: KIAS (Kentaro Ishida Architects Studio) / Photos: Norihito Yamauchi
TRENDING
-
Tokujin Yoshioka, Designer and Master of Glass
The artist creates pieces that display the energy of nature, with glass and crystal being his preferred materials.
-
The Tattoos that Marked the Criminals of the Edo Period
Traditional tattoos were strong signifiers; murderers had head tattoos, while theft might result in an arm tattoo.
-
Recipe for Ichiraku Ramen from ‘Naruto’ by Danielle Baghernejad
Taken from the popular manga with the character of the same name who loves ramen, this dish is named after the hero's favourite restaurant.
-
'In the Realm of the Senses', the Story of a Dominant Woman
Nagisa Oshima made Sada Abe the heroine of his film, defying the codes of 'pinku eiga' that make men the focus of attention.
-
AD FOODThe Inviting Pub Culture of ‘Yokocho’ Side Streets
Along these narrow alleys, restaurants and ‘izakaya’ epitomise Japanese living, featuring sake and seasonal fare.