Nestled within the undulating topography of Hanazono’s North Hills, just moments from the Park Hyatt, this private residence is conceived as a secluded forest retreat for art-loving clients seeking both privacy and immersion in nature.
The site presents a dramatic natural condition: gently sloping at the road edge before falling steeply toward a protected forest and a small creek below. Mature maples and silver birch trees define this untouched landscape, setting the tone for an architecture that responds carefully to topography, views, and seasonal change.
Facing the road, the building presents a deliberately restrained and protective façade. A continuous stone wall, articulated with metal panels, creates a sense of privacy and calm, shielding the interior from the public realm. In contrast, the north-east façade opens generously toward the forest, mountains, and creek. Floor-to-ceiling glazing, clerestory windows, and a continuous balcony dissolve the boundary between inside and out, framing the surrounding landscape as a living artwork.
The roof is a defining architectural gesture. Derived from a classic hip roof, its ridge beam is subtly rotated to generate a curved profile, giving the house a dynamic yet understated silhouette. A continuous cantilevered eave wraps the building, allowing the roof to appear as if it is hovering above the volumes below. Beyond its sculptural quality, this deep overhang provides essential protection from heavy snowfall and harsh winter conditions. At night, indirect lighting accentuates the louvered façade on the forest side, softly revealing the building within its wooded setting.
The landscape design plays an equally central role. A carefully composed sequence of paths, boardwalks, and newly planted Japanese trees guides residents through the site, culminating in a sunken fire-pit area that becomes a sheltered outdoor gathering space. The architecture and landscape are conceived as one continuous experience, unfolding gradually from arrival to forest edge.
Interiors are designed in collaboration with renowned Singapore-based PTS Interior Design, reinforcing the project’s cultural and artistic ambition. Upon entry, a generous double-height space welcomes guests, intentionally conceived as a gallery-like moment where a curated artwork is set against a backdrop of nature beyond. Throughout the house, materials, proportions, and light are orchestrated to allow art, landscape, and architecture to coexist without hierarchy.
The residence accommodates four bedrooms sleeping up to ten guests, anchored by a spacious open-plan living, dining, and kitchen area designed for both intimate family use and entertaining. The layout balances openness with retreat, offering framed views, quiet moments, and strong visual connections to the surrounding forest at every turn.
This project embodies ABD Architecture LLC’s approach to resort-area residential design: architecture that is quietly expressive, deeply contextual, and crafted to elevate everyday living through landscape, light, and carefully considered form.
