Okubiwako Villa
We designed a transparent villa with a triangular silhouette, nestled within a cedar forest on the shore of Lake Biwa. The equilateral triangle is lifted into the air by eight steel columns, while a transparent glass bedroom is placed at ground level to blend seamlessly with the surrounding nature.
On the second floor a large opening faces Lake Biwa, and a triangular window frames the lakeside scenery. The interior walls, continuing with the slope of the roof are finished with randomly patterned wood paneling that evoke the free rhythm of the cedar grove.
Featuring a Shigaraki-ware sink—an artisanal craft native to Shiga—and a triangular mirror that echoes the building’s form, the villa offers a unique retreat where guests can experience the quiet passage of time along the western shore of Lake Biwa.
