The Shell House designed architect Kotaro Ide, president of Artechnic in Japan, is one of the most amazing architectural designs I’ve seen. Deep in the woods of Karuizawa, in the Nagano prefecture of Japan, this amazing double-elliptical holiday retreat, features lots of space and is made of reinforced concrete and wood to preserve the Japanese “traditions”. The interior lines of the shell are glazed in floor to ceiling glass allowing for expansive views into the surrounding woods. The interior space is an open flowing floor plan with built-in furniture, and ulin wood floors that mirror the wooden floating decks which extend from the interior space into the wooded exterior. Clean clear lines, loads of light, a great balance between indoor and outdoor space and what a view. Woods, woods and more woods!
Photography by Nacasa & Partners Inc.
