Brutalist Japanese Lake House

This amazing 640 square metre lakeside guesthouse is a brutalist masterpiece by architects Nikken Sekkei, located in Japan. The concrete house was designed to unfold as a continuous spiral that would reveal more of the changing lakeside view with each step taken. It’s not only the magnificent view that envelops this lake house, but the blissful sound of the rippling water’s edge right up against the home’s deck. Humidity and thermal radiation are carried into the spiral in varying degrees, so that guests can discover atmospheres they find most comfortable. Wide-open panoramas of garden touch interior spaces to build deep connection with nature in all of the guesthouse’s unique living areas.

Photographer: Gankosha, Harunori Noda, Nacasa & Partners

At night, lights glow from the modern exterior to reflect and shimmer across the lake’s black mirrored surface. The effect doubles the modern grandeur.

Come morning time, the home’s brutalist vibes proudly shine out against a backdrop of huge trees and clear blue skies.

The concrete aesthetic is just as prevalent inside of the building as it is out. Living spaces are characterised by raw grey concrete floors and walls. Sloping ceilings cut across in a contrasting white finish that lightens their mass.

Living spaces are transient and open to interpretation.

Huge lengths of glass cut through the side of the concrete building to squeeze out every last drop of the magnificent lake and mountain views.

The minimalist dining room feels like an alfresco eating area thanks to the uninterrupted panorama.

Natural daylight changes the shades of the interior, and more so the atmosphere. The rising and setting sun is intrinsic to the interior space, along with twinkling light that bounces from the water’s surface to enliven it.

Clear glass balustrades edge multiple staircases, which assist in the long, gentle descent of the internal spiral.

A sunny courtyard design brings a piece of the forest to one of the bedrooms, pushing greenery right up alongside an adjacent view of the lake. A spilt level floor raises the guest beds inline with the garden, whilst a vanity table/desk is dipped down level with the waterside terrace.

Rich stained wood darkens down the floors of the bedrooms, and covers over some of the concrete walls.

Floating treads climb the modern staircase design.

Minimal lighting gives out an atmospheric glow.

A minimalist kitchen goes almost unnoticed in the shadows.

Natural stone shapes a unique kitchen worktop.

Airy bathroom decor slides to the lighter end of the spectrum. An ultra modern double washbasin fills one half of the luxurious bathroom, whilst an inset Japanese soaking tub rests in the wet zone with an open plan shower.

Covered terraces offer shade in hot weather.

Pebbled borders create a visual connect with the lake, bringing the shore right up to the house.

Up on the rooftop approach into the house, the full impact of the breath-taking open water can be observed.

The dynamic sloping roof design tips in homage to the mountain slopes over the surrounding majestic landscape.

Looking down into the heart of the building, it’s possible to see the lake washing right up inside.

Pale pebbles fill rooftop beds, bringing a hint of the riverside all the way to the top of the building too.

The environment inside of the interconnected space is not homogeneous. As physical distance from the water increases deeper inside the elevations of the structure, humidity and thermal distribution differs.

The lake becomes a living, moving mural.

With the water rushing to the foot of the build, the house feels like a boat set sail on the lake.

Terraces jut out over the gentle waves.

Different areas of the home present various conditions, such as the warmth and dry air by the fireside – located in the natural environment, a little heating is required even during summer nights. One guest might enjoy the warmth of the fire, whilst the next might prefer another area’s cooler characteristic.

The house is closed up during the harsh winter season to prevent wasteful energy consumption.

Every part of the unique architecture is focussed toward making the most of the house’s enviable location, keeping guests engaged with the beautiful surroundings. Both interior and exterior lighting take a backseat to the remarkable view, so that the time of day and the sun’s position in the sky ultimately rules the illumination of the home.

The guests feel peaceful connection with the natural world, and disconnect from the chaotic business of every day hustle and bustle.

The landscape stripes a breathtaking border across exterior and interior living spaces, all underlit with an LED ribbon across the pebble floor.

The site plan shows a dense natural habitat of mature trees behind and around the side of the house, with nothing but the open water stretching out in front of it.

First floor and second floor plans, illustrating position of staircases, bedrooms and fluid living spaces.

Sequential spiral diagram, showing the approach to the house at the highest elevation. The path of the spiral then leads on past the bedrooms, before sloping down into the living spaces and out to the lakeside terrace.

Simulation of the flow of heat and ventilation around the guesthouse. The coolest areas of the holiday home are lakeside on each elevation, with the toasty areas situated all the way in the back next to the forest.