Niki-K by Takashi Seisho and Kazunori Wakai This house is for a young couple who run a vineyard and winery in Hokkaido. The floating volume has generated a pleasant contrast with the natural surroundings. So, it has created a unique landscape. The exterior walls are made of Corten steel. This material, which becomes more stable and improves texture over the years, has the joy of maturing like wine, and gives the pleasure of spending time with it. The contrast of materials between this house and the winery converted from an old barn we designed five years ago is also enjoyable.
The interior is a single room that is gently divided into areas. Floor level of kitchen located centrally is lowered against the floating slab to add movement to the space. The installation levels of the refrigerator and the range hood is also lowered, so that the kitchen does not interrupt the continuity of the one-room space. The living room has a wide opening toward the field, allowing the view of the field from a slightly higher vantage point than the daily work in the field. It is a relaxing place where one can feel the field objectively and distance oneself from the daily work, even though one lives in the field.
The glass blocks that let in soft light into the bedrooms were removed and reused from the old house one by one. This is the third project for us in Niki. As in previous our projects, we are generating a unique place in Niki where architecture and the vineyard/nature enhance each other. All photo rights are Satoshi Asakawa