Setsugen, Japan

The North Island of Hokkaido receives a generous amount of the white stuff making Niseko's annual snowfall of 13 to 15m a prominent design challenge. Other elements that challenged this project included a constricted property within a congested neighbourhood, but with proper placement of the new design one realizes the potential and impressive views of Mount Yotei, an active volcano, to the east and Niseko Ski Hill to the west. To overcome the properties limitations, the roof of the new six bedroom home, is a low sloped shed roof which allows for snow management to the north end of the lot and as the roof gently slopes up to the south, tall walls were created over the living areas for ample glazing to capture day time light and views of the ski hill and Mount Yotei.