Pritzker Prize-winning architect Ryue Nishizawa was appointed by HDHP to design the second Shishi-Iwa House project, set to open in 2021. Similar to the first retreat designed by architect Shigeru Ban, the project aims to provide guests a sanctuary to reconnect with families and friends and to inspire intellectual creativity. Shishi-Iwa House by Ryue Nishizawa will be a seminal architectural masterpiece, paying homage to traditional Japanese residential architecture based on the shaku-kan grid system, hinoki cypress wood and garden courtyards. Nishizawa will be responsible for both architecture and interiors, allowing a coherent and integrated approach to the design. Discover more after the jump.
With a focus on sustainability and human scale, the retreat is designed as a cluster of 10 interconnected pavilions using locally-sourced hinoki cypress as the main building material. Hinoki cypress is considered a “sacred” wood in Japan as it has been used for centuries to build shrines, temples and palaces given its durability and the aromatic scents. The traditional shaku-kan grid system employs an efficient and environmentally friendly construction methodology, yielding minimal waste and mostly pre-fabricate offsite before installing onsite.
The retreat will be exclusive with only 8 guest rooms in various sizes to accommodate both single travelers and families. Common facilities will include a reception and library area, shared living rooms and kitchenettes, a tea house, a bath house and a catering kitchen. The unusual building architecture creates different levels of privacies to promote communal sharing of spaces among guests.
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Located on the same street as the first property in Karuizawa, Japan, Shishi-Iwa House by Ryue Nishizawa and its close proximity to the Shigeru Ban-designed property will allow guests to share communal areas, and enjoy the two projects by renowned Japanese architects side by side. Launched in February 2019, Shishi-Iwa House by Shigeru Ban opened its door as a restorative retreat that reinforces the relationship between nature, architecture and human connection.
Find more projects by Ryue Nishizawa: www.ryuenishizawa.com
