Loft Niseko — Hirafu Village, Japan

Steep slopes and deep powdery snow make Niseko Asia's most enticing ski destination, but the alpine resort on Japan's Hokkaido island is now also building a reputation for its thoughtful architecture. For this block of four three-bedroom apartments, designed by Tokyo-based architect Riccardo Tossani, the structure's exposed exterior concrete was pressed with timber and stained to give an organic texture. Floor-to-ceiling wraparound windows offer unobstructed views of Mount Yo_tei and are fully insulated to ensure a low carbon footprint. The interiors, by Yoo Design Studio (founded by Philippe Starck and property entrepreneur John Hitchcox), feature heated stone floors, hand-tufted wool rugs and lighting by Tom Dixon.
INFORMATION
Photography: Glen Claydon
ADDRESS
Hirafu Village Japan
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Catherine Shaw is a writer, editor and consultant specialising in architecture and design. She has written and contributed to over ten books, including award-winning monographs on art collector and designer Alan Chan, and on architect William Lim's Asian design philosophy. She has also authored books on architect André Fu, on Turkish interior designer Zeynep Fadıllıoğlu, and on Beijing-based OPEN Architecture's most significant cultural projects across China.
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