Places in Karuizawa Villa by Takahiro Endo Architects Office: A Harmonious Retreat in Nature

Karuizawa, a renowned resort town in Japan, is home to a breathtaking architectural masterpiece by Takahiro Endo Architects Office. The Places in Karuizawa Villa is a modern reinterpretation of a family retreat, seamlessly blending architecture with the surrounding forest landscape. Designed to accommodate 14 people across four families, this villa embodies a unique spatial concept rooted in nature and communal living.

A Legacy of Living in Harmony with Nature

The owners have a long history in this forested region, where they have spent generations enjoying seasonal traditions—cooling watermelons in a nearby stream during summer and collecting chestnuts in autumn. This deep connection to nature influenced the design philosophy of the new villa, emphasizing an immersive experience with the landscape.

Architectural Concept: Embracing the Terrain

With a total area of 194 m², the new villa maintains the footprint of the original structure while extending longitudinally to maximize engagement with the eastern-facing sloped forest. Spanning approximately 30 meters in length, the elongated structure extends beyond the leveled foundation of the previous building, integrating into the site’s natural topography.

Rather than leveling the terrain, the architects embraced the land’s natural one-meter elevation difference. The villa follows the slope with multi-tiered floor levels, creating distinct spatial experiences while reinforcing a seamless connection with the outdoors. Large sliding aluminum sashes and post pillars provide an open interface between indoor spaces and the forest, enabling inhabitants to step directly into nature.

Designing a Space for Communal Living

Every summer, the extended family gathers for a week, engaging in daily routines such as cooking, cleaning, and laundry together—experiences the owner describes as a “training camp.” This philosophy shaped the villa’s layout, which fosters both social interaction and individual retreat spaces.

At the core of the structure lies a family zone, where wide verandas and semi-outdoor spaces extend communal living areas, serving as entrances, terraces, and laundry drying spaces. The interplay between stepped floor levels and exposed concrete foundations further reinforces the villa’s relationship with the land.

Structural and Material Innovations

The architectural form is supported by an innovative structural system balancing lightweight and heavyweight elements. A light, expansive roof extends outward, while a smaller, heavier inner roof stabilizes the structure against horizontal forces. This careful balance ensures the villa remains open and airy while maintaining structural integrity.

Beyond a Villa: A Legacy of Experience

This project defies conventional categories—it is neither a traditional residence, a seasonal retreat, nor a mere vacation home. Instead, it is a space designed for multi-generational experiential living, where each visit deepens the family’s connection with the forest. Through its architectural expression, the Places in Karuizawa Villa embodies the spirit of continuity, offering a framework for future generations to build their own experiences and memories.

Project Details

• Architects: Takahiro Endo Architects Office
• Location: Karuizawa, Japan
• Total Area: 194 m²
• Year of Completion: 2022
• Lead Architect: Takahiro Endo
• Structural Design: Graph Studio
• Lighting Design: Sugio Lighting Design
• Contractors: Aokiya
• Photography: Yasuhiro Nakayama
• Manufacturers: Miele, IGKOGYO, LIXIL, TOKYOKOEI, endo-lighting, hergon