☉ Nature within. Not a Hotel is a winning proposal by Unformed Design designed in 2024. It is located in Kitakaruizawa Japan in a forest setting. Its scale is small with a surface of 400 sqm. Key materials are glass stone and wood. Concepts such as nature roof and transparency are explored.
The project embraces a site rich in natural rock formations, integrating these stones as key structural and spatial components rather than treating them as obstacles. The house is embedded into the earth, following the natural slope and contour of the landscape, creating a harmonious relationship with its surroundings. By retaining the rocks in their original positions, they serve dual roles as load-bearing elements and defining interior features, reducing the need for extensive artificial foundations. Shaped as an imperfect ellipse, the form flows with the land, softening the transition between nature and structure. This organic geometry allows the house to emerge subtly from the ground, anchored by the rocks, which serve as both functional supports and aesthetic anchors. The lower façade is primarily glass, framing expansive views of the landscape and allowing natural light to permeate the interior. In this way, the design achieves a seamless integration of built and natural elements, creating a home that both respects and reflects its environment.