Appearance, construction and performance should go hand in hand. House in the Forest was designed to maintain a cool indoor temperature during the hot Japanese summers.
© Kazuhisa Kouta
Only an hour and a half from their home in Tokyo, this red cottage provides a retreat for the owners from their urban city life. An escape from the city is good for the body and soul, especially during the hot and humid summer. Situated in the presence of Mount Fuji and close to the scenic Sai Lake, this cottage blends images of Scandinavian cottages with a roof geometry that nods to traditional Japanese shrine architecture.
© Kazuhisa Kouta
The whole building is designed around a grid set out in accordance with the standard construction material size in Japan. This is the size of the tatami mat, a rectangle measuring approximately 90 x 180 cm. The grid then dictates the rules of the layout. Every architectural element is a multiple of this size, which ensures a certain efficiency in material use and labour.
Ground Floor Plan
A dramatic interior is created by the tall roof, which is supported internally by a tree-like column made from local cedar timber. As hot air rises, it is expelled in vents on either side of the clerestory window, creating a stack effect that in turn draws in air from the cool surrounding forest floor.
Project Info:
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Architects: Office Ten Architecture
- Country: Yamanashi, Japan
- Area: 53 m²
- Year: 2019
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Photographs: Kazuhisa Kouta
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Builder: Kobayashi
- Office Lead Architects: Anders Luhr & Erika Suzuki
Madeline Brooks is a Projects Editor at Arch2O, where she has been shaping and refining architectural content since March 2024. With over a decade of experience in editorial work, she has curated, revised, and published an array of projects covering architecture, urbanism, and public space design. A graduate of the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, Madeline brings a strong academic foundation and a discerning editorial eye to each piece she oversees. Since joining Arch2O, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the platform’s editorial direction, with a focus on sustainability, social relevance, and cutting-edge design. Madeline excels at translating complex architectural ideas into clear, engaging stories that resonate with both industry professionals and general readers. She works closely with architects, designers, and global contributors to ensure every project is presented with clarity, depth, and compelling visual narrative. Her editorial leadership continues to elevate Arch2O’s role in global architectural dialogue.