Nestled within the serene forests of Kitakaruizawa, Japan, Forest Within is a residential retreat as a contemporary reinterpretation of traditional Japanese architecture. Drawing from Zen philosophy and principles of spatial harmony, the project establishes a profound connection with its surrounding landscape, offering a place of stillness that merges built form with nature.
Located in the wooded foothills of Mount Asama—an area defined by its volcanic terrain and rich ecological character—the design responds to the natural topography through an elevated structure. Raised on steel stilts, the building minimizes its environmental footprint while preserving the contours and vegetation of the site. The retreat is composed of three main volumes—the Living Hub, the Wellness Retreat, and the Sleeping Wing—arranged in a Y-shaped configuration with 120-degree angles between each arm. This geometry evokes balance, continuity, and the cyclical nature of time, drawing from traditional Japanese forms.
At the heart of the composition lies the “Forest Valley,” a circular courtyard that serves as both spatial nucleus and contemplative void. Referencing Zen garden typologies, this central clearing organizes the architecture around it, establishing a clear programmatic flow while framing views of the forest beyond.
Materiality is both restrained and locally informed. A palette of basalt stone, recycled concrete, clay tile, and Japanese cypress echoes regional building traditions while offering thermal efficiency and tactile depth. The roof, subtly curved to manage snowfall and rain, reflects the surrounding terrain and gestures toward vernacular Japanese forms.
The design explores the concept of ma—the Japanese notion of negative space—through deliberate voids that invite pause and perception. A perimeter corridor, inspired by the traditional engawa, acts as an intermediary zone between inside and outside, changing character with light, seasons, and activity. Expanses of glass reinforce this fluidity, applying the shakkei principle of borrowed scenery to integrate the forest into the lived experience.
The Living Hub forms the social core, housing a kitchen, dining space, and sunken hearth lounge. The Wellness Retreat offers a private onsen wrapped in charred timber and dark concrete, opening to immersive forest views. The Sleeping Wing hosts secluded bedrooms and terraces, designed for privacy and rest. Passive strategies ensure acoustic insulation and thermal comfort, while maintaining visual continuity with the landscape.
Rather than asserting itself over the land, Forest Within dissolves into it. The architecture is attuned to shifts in season, weather, and light—an immersive framework for presence and introspection. Through its synthesis of tradition and modernity, the project fosters a quiet reverence for place and ecological context.
