Pritzker Prize-winning architect Shigeru Ban has unveiled his design of boutique resort Shishi-Iwa House in Karuizawa, Japan. The 10-room, two-story restorative retreat emphasizes the relationship between nature, architecture, and human connection.
“For this project, I was interested in developing a distinct design language befitting to its beautiful location,” Ban says. “Everything from the construction to the furniture and interior detailing was carefully planned and considered to achieve a bespoke atmosphere. Blending the interior and exterior spaces, we created unique openings in the guestrooms and social areas to allow the best views of the garden and encourage outdoor access. Timber was our material of choice for the design, which is used to heighten the sense of warmth and coherence throughout the boutique retreat.”
Interiors complement the refined resort backdrop, with furnishings handpicked by Ban himself. The layout will be characterized by a seamless flow of spaces with distinctive humanistic qualities. Timber and paper tube elements will wrap public spaces as well as accommodations, which are conceived as meditative retreats. Lower level guestrooms open to a private garden, while the second-story rooms are equipped with a private balcony terrace. The onsite art collection will align with the understated interiors, showcasing pieces including original standouts from Japanese masters of the Gutai period of the 1960s.
