The YMK Residence Brings Layered Living to the Karuizawa Highlands

Set against the forested slopes of Karuizawa, Japan, the YMK residence redefines remote living through architecture that not only engages with its rugged topography but also embraces mountain life. Designed by Takeshi Hirobe Architects, this rural retreat was envisioned for a client transitioning from the bustle of city life to the serene elevations of Nagano, with a priority on working remotely while immersed in nature.

Modern living room with wood-paneled ceiling, large windows, minimalist built-in seating, dark green chairs, and an open layout with natural light.

The site, nestled along a wooded incline and bordered by a valley stream, offers a natural buffer from neighboring homes. With a view framed by dense, descending foliage, the home’s southeast corner features an expansive picture window, designed to pull the layered landscape into the interior experience. From here, the house establishes a visual connection to its surroundings – one of the key pillars of biophilic design.

Modern living room with large windows showing a forest view, wooden ceiling, light wood floor, and minimalist furniture including a bench, sofa, and round table.

Karuizawa’s sub-zero winters demanded thoughtful construction techniques. To contend with the deep frost line, the home’s foundation was placed well below grade. Rather than treating this substructure as purely functional, the architects turned it into a feature: a billiard room outfitted with a full-size table now inhabits the lower level, creating a recreational area that adds value and depth to the home’s spatial program.

Modern open-plan living space with a dark green sectional sofa, wood ceiling and floors, geometric wood partitions, and a minimalist kitchen in the background. Natural light fills the room.

Energy efficiency and thermal comfort were also key to the project’s success. The house incorporates a radiant water-based thermal storage system below the floor, working in tandem with two high-efficiency heat pump units. This system moderates internal temperatures by absorbing and slowly releasing heat, maintaining stability across seasons. A wood-burning stove offers both aesthetic charm and supplemental warmth during colder months, while the thermal mass of the buried foundation doubles as an energy reservoir.

Modern interior with wooden ceiling and lattice divider, open kitchen, large windows, and natural light illuminating a split-level living space with minimalist furnishings.

Spacious modern living room with large windows, wooden ceiling, minimalist furniture, and open shelving, overlooking a green outdoor view.

At the structural heart of the home lies a striking wood-truss shear wall. Built from a grid of 60mm timber and braced by progressively smaller diagonal elements, the wall handles horizontal loads while creating a subtle but dynamic architectural focal point. It also redefines interior scale, acting as a sculptural partition that doesn’t compromise spatial continuity.

Modern interior with a wooden ceiling, mezzanine level, geometric wood wall, and a red pool table on a lower level, with natural light entering from large windows.

Modern interior featuring a geometric wooden partition, a billiards table, lounge chairs, and an open kitchen with contemporary design elements and warm lighting.

Though classified as a two-story residence, the home is organized across six distinct levels. This split-section layout plays off the site’s natural slope while creating a multidimensional interior experience. Floor heights are tailored to function, giving each zone a sense of purpose and identity without severing the overall flow. The result is a fluid, terrain-like feel where architecture and landscape echo one another.

A modern interior with wood flooring and ceiling, a built-in bookshelf, a hallway, a desk with a lamp, and large windows letting in natural light.

Interior view of a modern home with wooden floors and ceilings, a staircase, large windows, and an open sliding door leading to a dark wood deck surrounded by trees.

A modern indoor soaking tub with clear water is positioned by large windows overlooking green trees and natural outdoor scenery.

Material choices throughout reinforce the home’s connection to nature: ceramic slate clads the exterior, while interiors feature diatomaceous earth (DE) walls, cedar ceilings, and oak and cork floors. This palette of organic finishes not only elevates indoor air quality but contributes to the calming, tactile character of the space.

Modern dark wood house with large windows and sloped roof, surrounded by tall green trees and natural landscaping.

A modern black house with large windows stands beside tall trees with orange autumn leaves and a wooden deck covered in fallen leaves.

Modern dark-wood house with large windows and warm interior lighting, surrounded by trees and gravel driveway in a wooded setting.

To learn more about the YMK house and Takeshi Hirobe Architects, visit hirobe.net.

Photography by Koichi Torimura.

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.