ARCHITECTURE

Redefining the Guest Room Through Japanese Aesthetics

Karuizawa homes are designed to open up and extend into their natural surroundings－by using terraces, for example. Azuma has incorporated this element into the pavilions at HOSHINOYA Karuizawa, each one a standalone building to provide the look and feel of a private vacation home.

This choice inherently accomplished the task of connecting interior and exterior spaces－an enduring and critical element of Japanese design. Pavilions open up to captivating scenery, with seamless lines extending into the natural elements and river that grace the premises.

Azuma also sought to create an optimal environment for relaxation defined by Japanese aesthetics. She narrowed in on factors like sofa comfort and eye level to create spaces that would serve not only as bedrooms, but as accommodations where guests would feel drawn to spend time.

To create variation in the resort and draw out the diverse charms of the natural setting, Azuma designed twenty-two different pavilions. A network of winding roads connects them to give HOSHINOYA Karuizawa the feel of a village－one that offers an atmosphere unlike anywhere else.