A space surrounded by "transparent walls" integrates with the great nature of Hakuba

Nagano Prefecture's Hakuba Village, a place where you can enjoy beautiful seasons and activities. In the area located at its center, the vacation home and showroom "D⁺ CHALET" by Tomita Construction | TOMIKEN was completed at the end of 2024. The project is consistently handled from design to construction by two generations of architects: the representatives, Mamoru Tomita and Tatsuki Tomita. Originally attracted by the nature of this village, they moved and established their office, constructing many vacation homes. Loving nature, they aimed to design in a way that blends with nature without disturbing it.

The most distinctive feature of this project is the curtain wall surrounding the second-floor living-dining-kitchen (LDK). The LDK, which has the best view, is surrounded by "transparent walls" instead of regular walls. This design maximizes the incorporation of outside trees and rich greenery into the interior, creating a space where residents feel as if they are spending time in the forest. The custom-made bench along the curtain wall allows anyone to sit and immerse themselves in nature. The light from outside passes through the lattice at the feet, bringing beautiful shadows into the interior. It is a meticulously calculated performance.

The kitchen, which is originally the main feature of a home, becomes rather a supporting role in a vacation home, expressing a sense of extraordinary. Dekton's "worktop" made this possible. With high durability, the thickness of the board could be reduced to the extreme. The kitchen created with delicate framing is finished like a piece of furniture that hides the refrigerator and oven range. The rich color variations were a great advantage that allowed the creators to design according to their image.

Designers also used Cosentino products in the bathrooms. For example, one of the vanities features Dekton Keon, the same color used for the kitchen countertop.

In other cases, the Tomitas opted for a more sculptural approach. They created several vanities with Silestone Calacatta Gold in light tones, complemented by sinks in the same color. Beneath, they added cantilevered platforms for towels and other hygiene items, crafted from this same surface. In other bathrooms, however, they used the darker Silestone Corktown for these platforms, creating a striking white-black contrast.

“Step outside. The daytime appearance blending into the trees. The nighttime appearance quietly floating in the darkness.” For Mr. Tomita, who wishes for architecture to coexist with nature, this place has probably accepted it, fitting comfortably as part of the scenery.