We were approached by a client to prepare a speculative masterplan for a small ski resort on the island of Hokkaido in Northern Japan to present to the local planning authorities.Our proposal responds to two different characteristics of the site. There is a flatter, western end which faces the existing transport infrastructure of the ski resort and we have provided in our proposal both commercial amenities such as restaurants and shops, and public spaces such as a plaza and a sunset deck. Above these facilities are the apartment blocks housing 57 apartments and 5 penthouses or ‘sky chalets’. The eastern end which is hillier contains 25 private ski chalets with distinctive sloping roofs.
The existing topography was retained as much as possible to minimize earthworks and disruption to the natural landscape. The chalet arrangement creates optimum movement around the site and access to each chalet is determined by its position on the slope.
The resort is designed to optimise the views of the surrounding landscape from each apartment and chalet, with very little overlooking between buildings. Sunset decks, rooftop chalets and the plaza will feel expansive yet convivial, in contrast to private and cosy apartments and chalets.
The material palette is simple and natural with concrete structures, zinc roofs and facades in Karamatsu, the local Japanese larch timber. The Karamatsu will be used internally in parts of the structure of the apartments and the chalets to add texture and warmth.