‘L house in hirofu’ by florian busch architects, hokkaido, japanimage © florian busch architectsall images courtesy of florian busch architects

the ‘L house’ holiday home by florian busch architects is located along an ancient geological feature on a steep slope with unabated views of mount yotei. the escarpment which hosts the concrete shear wall and wood-clad structure is an origin point for many of the projects distinct characteristics. excavation on site would have required massive reinforced retaining walls which are very invasive to the site and not within budget, therefore the home sits amongst the trees.

just as the topography shifted and slid, so do the volumes that make up the dwelling, as one simple rectangular box is shifted slightly and slid over another. the social functions – living room and kitchen – remain on the top floor with an exterior deck and open-air bath. the entry level contains the private bedrooms and bathroom enjoying views of the valley below the site. the interior is marked by honest austerity, allowing the richness of the exposed concrete and natural wood textures rendered on simple geometries to balance with the striking exterior landscape.

snow creates an insulating layer on the roof and climbs high up the walls

view from the snw-covered siteimage © florian busch architects

exterior deck with thin metal handrailimage © florian busch architects

upper level social areas with framed views of mount yoteiimage © hiroyuki sudo

living room area, large windows include the exterior into the interior ambianceimage © hiroyuki sudo

image © florian busch architects

view to the exteriorimage © hiroyuki sudo

(left) rough exposed concrete wall (right) staircase of cantilevering wooden treads on thin steel membersimage © florian busch architects

small windows let in light at different areasimage © florian busch architects

large sliding doors create layers of privacyimage © hiroyuki sudo

door handle detailimage © florian busch architects

image © hiroyuki sudo

lower corridorimage © hiroyuki sudo

sitting area

bathroomimage © hiroyuki sudo

aerial view

site plan

program diagram

render

project info:

location: niseko, hokkaido, japanscope: residential, 2 floorsteam: FBA: florian busch, sachiko miyazaki, tomoyuki sudo, holger pausch (intern)structural engineering: ove arup japan (masamichi sasatani, kengo takamatsu)contractor: sudo corporationgross floor area: 154 m² + 44 m² terracestructure: reinforced concrete