A house in Nakakaruizawa where families gather

kanaya99
Feb 21
4 min read

Completed December 2023 Minamigaoka N Residence

- A second home in Karuizawa where families can reunite -

"The moment I come to Karuizawa, my mood switches from 'on' to 'off'." The construction of this house began with these words from the husband.

The reason why Mr. and Mrs. N built their house in Karuizawa was not for their retirement,

To live life to the fullest in the present .

The family of five, including the sons who work in Tokyo, naturally gather together and then fly off to their own places - this home serves as a base for all of this.

The Japanese and Nordic styles blend together to create a warm yet sophisticated Japan-inspired interior. The iron slate used for the hearth and hearth of the wood-burning stove adds an accent.

A setting that gently embraces the essence of Karuizawa

What I wanted was a place where my family could meet up so we could start working hard again tomorrow.

Located in a quiet residential area just off the busy tourist streets, the elegant gabled roof of the house blends naturally with the surrounding forest and neighboring houses, as if it has been there since ancient times.

Asama stone is used for the latticework and gate wall in front of the entrance. This material, which has inherited the memory of the land, quietly conveys the unique atmosphere of this place. The Enkianthus campanulatus, which was cherished by the previous owner, was also left as it was. It was a choice that connects the land, the house, and time .

It is an elegant two-story house with a gable roof. Its appearance is soothing and relaxing. The entrance is screened with lattices and the gate wall is made of Asama stone. The local materials allow the new house to blend in with its surroundings.

■ The moment you enter the living/dining/kitchen area, your mind and body will relax.

When you open the door, you are greeted by soft light streaming in from the atrium.

The large openings and window design allow you to live without worrying about people looking in from the south, making it possible to live without the need for curtains.

The interior is a "Japandi" style that blends Japanese and Nordic influences . The diatomaceous earth walls, solid red pine floors, and Teppei stone used for the hearth walls of the wood-burning stove create a warm and refined tranquility.

"Rather than creating special effects, we wanted to cherish the time the family spends together as a family," and this sentiment is evident in every corner of the space.

■The "Doma Salon" is filled with the unique atmosphere of the Shinshu Workshop House

The earthen floor salon is the symbol of this house.

The space experienced at the Karuizawa showroom has been reconstructed in a way that is unique to Mr. N's residence.

The floor is made of the same iron stone as the wood stove, and the ceiling is made of larch. By lowering the floor level and creating a different atmosphere from the living, dining, and kitchen area, it has become a multi-purpose space that can be used for work, conversation, and welcoming guests.

A place to concentrate on remote work and occasionally entertain guests. A perfect second home for the working generation.

■ Another type of comfort created by light and lighting

The lighting plan is also one of the great attractions of this house. The layers of light, calculated to allow the house to be used with only indirect lighting, gently change the appearance of the space between day and night, sunny and cloudy.

The dining kitchen is an original design made from chestnut wood.

The home is designed to be the perfect height for the husband, and many other thoughtful details have been incorporated based on real-life experiences.

■ The peace of mind of having a place to return to

The second floor houses the sons' bedrooms and a shared space with an open ceiling.

"It's so comfortable in this house," is a casual comment that speaks volumes about the comfort of this home. Even after the family has left home, there is always a place to return to.

It may be that "peace of mind" is more important than life itself.

■To try my best again from tomorrow

Mr. N's residence is not just a villa for enjoying something out of the ordinary. It is a place where people can rest their tired wings after working hard in their daily lives and face the next day.

"Families who usually work hard in different places can come together here and recharge their batteries." The Shinshu Kobo House quietly embodies this idea.