Serene, minimalist and contemporary, SSH No.03 by Ryue Nishizawa is the third architect-designed structure at Shishi-Iwa House Karuizawa.
A modern riff on sukiya teahouse-style architecture, it consists of a scattering of 10 peaceful pavilions, connected by a flowing network of wooden engawa walkways – a contemporary version of the corridors that often border traditional Japanese homes.
Inside the minimalist pavilions are tea rooms, lounges and guestrooms with clean-lined expanses of hinoki cypress wood, touches of tatami and large cut-out windows framing green views.
For Nishizawa – an award-winning architect and co-founder of Tokyo firm SANAA – the project’s starting point was the idea of creating a structure deeply in tune with the beauty of its natural setting. And so all around are glimpses of nature – from the seasonal gardens that wrap around the pavilions to Karuizawa’s dense forests and mountains just beyond.
SSH No.03 by Ryue Nishizawa is scheduled to open in 2023.
