A renovation project for a log house built in 2006, nestled in the forests of Wadano, Hakuba.

Preserving the powerful expression of the structural logs and the character the building has acquired over time, the house has been revitalized as a new place to stay. During the winter season, it serves as a private chalet for skiers visiting Hakuba.

From the outset, the design sought to respect the distinctive reddish tones of the Japanese larch logs, characteristic of log houses in Japan, while reconfiguring the entire interior around the concept of “Western Alpine × Japanese Modern.” The kitchen, washrooms, bathrooms, and entrance were completely rebuilt, while the living room, dining area, and bedrooms were functionally reorganized. Materials, color, light, furniture, and art were then designed as an integrated whole.

In the living room, a solid wood table was crafted from a single Japanese camphor tree grown in Nagano Prefecture, with both the tabletop and legs cut from the same tree. Washi paper lighting fixtures were introduced throughout the house. By layering soft light over the powerful presence of the logs, a sense of Japanese delicacy is woven into the space.

To bring the surrounding nature of Hakuba more deeply into the interior, artists working in Japanese painting, oil painting, watercolor, and photography were commissioned to create works specifically for the house. Inspired by Hakuba’s mountains and plant life, original paintings and landscape photographs were produced for the project. The creative process was directed to establish a dialogue between the artworks and the interior—for example, incorporating colors from the fabrics used throughout the space into the paintings. Rather than treating art as decoration, the project brings together the nature of Hakuba, the interior, and the artworks as an integrated whole.

Returning from the snowy mountains, gathering around the fire, sharing a meal, and experiencing art. Surrounded by the magnificent nature of Hakuba, the house was conceived as a place to step away from everyday life and experience a rich and restorative stay, where both body and mind can gradually unwind.

白馬・和田野の森の中に建つ、2006年竣工のログハウスの改修プロジェクト。

構造を成す力強い丸太の表情と、建物が重ねてきた時間を生かしながら、新たな滞在の場として再生しました。冬季には、白馬を訪れるスキーヤーのための一棟貸しのシャレーとして利用されます。

計画当初から、日本のログハウス特有の、唐松の丸太がもつ赤みを帯びた色調を尊重しながら、「Western Alpine × Japanese Modern」を軸に空間全体を再構成しました。キッチン、洗面、浴室、玄関を新たにつくり直し、リビング、ダイニング、各ベッドルームは機能的に再計画。その上で、素材、色、光、家具、アートまでを一体としてデザインしました。

リビングには、長野県産の一本の楠から天板と脚を木取りして製作した無垢のテーブルを据え、随所に和紙を用いた意匠照明を採用しました。丸太の力強さに柔らかな光を重ねることで、日本的な繊細さを空間に織り込んでいます。

また、白馬の自然を空間の中でより深く感じられるよう、日本画、油彩、水彩、写真のアーティストを起用。白馬の山や植物を題材に、この場所のために絵画を描き下ろし、風景写真を撮り下ろしてもらいました。絵画にはインテリアに用いたファブリックの色を取り入れてもらうなど、空間と作品が響き合うよう制作をディレクション。アートを単なる装飾として加えるのではなく、白馬の自然、インテリア、アートが一体となるよう構成しました。

雪山から戻り、火を囲み、食事を楽しみ、アートに触れる。白馬の雄大な自然を身近に感じながら、日常から少し距離を置き、心と身体がほどけていくような、豊かな滞在体験を生み出す場所を目指しました。