Yatsugatake Villa
Residence for MDS Co., Ltd.
Situated in foothills of Mt. Yatsugatake, this vacation house gently incorporates the natural environment around it. The fan-shaped design opening to the south means plenty of sun streams in during the cold winters: no matter the time of day there's always a place to bask in the sun. In contrast, strong summer sunshine is blocked by a roof and side walls that protrude beyond the facade, providing shade. Windows in the north and south exterior walls bring cool breezes into the house. The result of design strategies is a structure that is simple yet filled with a rich diversity of scene.
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Download Press Kit № 129187 Residence for MDS Co., Ltd. by Kiyotoshi Mori to access high-res images, essential texts, translations, and exclusive interviews—all in one.
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Yatsugatake Villa by Kiyotoshi Mori
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Residence by Kiyotoshi Mori
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Kiyotoshi Mori Yatsugatake Villa
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Kiyotoshi Mori Residence
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Yatsugatake Villa Residence Press Releases
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Yatsugatake Villa Residence Media Articles
Our Yatsugatake Villa articles are prepped and available in these languages: English, Korean, Japanese, Russian, Chinese (Mandarin), Italian, German, Portuguese, Spanish, Turkish, Arabic (Standard), Dutch, French, Hindi and Indonesian, ready for your use.
Unique Properties
The exterior is characterized by three modern trapezoid tubes, deforming the traditional Japanese space under deep eaves to frame the landscape in four directions. The form was derived from meticulous calculation of precipitation, the sun's movement in summer and winter, and the thermal environment. Shoji paper screens offer a space filled with soft light iconic of Japanese culture when closed, and switch to the majestic scenery framed by the walls when opened, providing two alternating scenes.
Tags
Villa, Sun light, Wind, Fan-shape, Wooden, Mountain, Three adjacent shells, Sho-ji, Eaves, Farming
Production Technology
Contrary to the contemporary style guided by precipitation, sun rays and the surrounding environment, the construction of the house incorporates traditional Japanese wooden construction methods, with earthquake-resistant walls and large openings. Traditional Japanese techniques and components are used throughout, including plastering on the curved openings and fittings such as shoji and ranma (partition with ventilation and daylighting functions), creating a vernacular architecture.
Design Challenge
In Japan, especially in rural areas, the number of carpenters capable of building elaborate wooden houses is decreasing, and it was difficult to find a builder who could construct a building with a unique (challenging) design. In spite of the modern design, Japanese cedar and plastering materials are used, and shoji screens as well as other traditional materials handed down from generation to generation are fit in by the indigenous module method, enabling the definition of a Japanese space.
Project Duration
The project was completed in Hokuto-City, Yamanashi, Japan in 2012
Operation Flow
Considering the cold winter, the building is built in a fan shape, open to the south, in order to maximize the sunlight while the sun moves. On the other hand, in summer, the roofs and walls of the trapezoid tubes block the strong sun rays, creating shadows inside, and windows at the north and south let the breeze through to cool the airy space. The layout, guided by the thermal environment, provides various interior scenes of varying depths as seen through the openings that connect the spaces.
Research
Three trapezoid tubes with north-south openings sit wide open towards the south to maximize winter daylight. Glass surfaces are set back from the roof edge to avoid direct south sun rays in summer. Side walls are arranged to block the west sun. The footprint is set back from the roof edge, partly to reduce soil excavation (deep foundation below the frost line is required), creating a sitting area free from rain dripping from the roof. It is a modern version of traditional Japanese engawa space.
Inspiration
With exterior walls arranged to resemble a fan, the house provides framing for the landscape, maximizing the location on a plateau surrounded by fields and trees with panoramic view of mountain ranges in the distance. It is a summer resort, slightly cooler than humid summers in Tokyo, and yet the sun rays are strong and the winters are cold. The roof was extended to block direct sunlight in the summer and side walls to keep the western sun out, resulting in a series of tubular forms.
Image Credits
Photography: Toshiyuki Yano
Project Overview
Yatsugatake Villa Residence has been a Bronze winner in the Architecture, Building and Structure Design award category in the year 2021 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Bronze A' Design Award is given to outstanding designs that showcase a high degree of creativity and practicality. It recognizes the dedication and skill of designers who produce work that stands out for its thoughtful development and innovative use of materials and technology. These designs are acknowledged for their professional execution and potential to influence industry standards positively. Winning this award highlights the designer's ability to blend form and function effectively, offering solutions that enhance people's lives and wellbeing.
Bronze Recognition
Kiyotoshi Mori was recognized with the coveted Bronze A' Design Award in 2022, a testament to excellence of their work Yatsugatake Villa Residence.
Kiyotoshi Mori Press Releases
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Yatsugatake Villa: A Modern Retreat Embracing Nature
Award-winning architect Kiyotoshi Mori unveils the Yatsugatake Villa, a stunning residence completed in 2012, nestled in the foothills of Mt. Yatsugatake, Hokuto-City, Yamanashi, Japan.
Kiyotoshi Mori Newsroom
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