Project Name: hand-in-hand house

Location: Karuizawa Town, Japan

Design Team: nendo

Project Area: Site Area 5,812.39 m², Building Area 158.53 m², Total Floor Area 142.48 m²

Building Type: Weekend Villa

Structure: Steel Construction

Design Period: January 2022 to December 2023

Construction Period: January 2024 to May 2025

Completion Date: June 2024

Photography: Masahiro Ohgami

Feature：

Project - In a groundbreaking exploration of architectural intimacy, nendo has transformed a sloping 5,800-square-meter site in Karuizawa into a revolutionary weekend retreat that challenges conventional residential design. The hand-in-hand house emerges as a radical reinterpretation of family living, where architecture becomes a metaphorical representation of familial connections.

Designed for a family of four, the project ingeniously dismantles the traditional single-volume residence into six distinct 20-square-meter pavilions, each carefully oriented to capture the breathtaking landscape and views of Mount Asama. These micro-structures are not merely functional spaces but carefully choreographed volumes that speak to individual privacy while maintaining a profound sense of collective unity.

The most striking design intervention lies in the deliberate positioning of these pavilions. Slightly misaligned and varying in roof heights, they create a dynamic spatial narrative that respects each family member's need for personal space while simultaneously fostering a sense of togetherness. Functional zones—from kitchen to dining and bedrooms—are strategically distributed across these pavilions, connected through a soft, fluid architectural language that mimics the gentle act of holding hands.

A expansive terrace that dramatically protrudes from the sloping terrain serves as the project's foundational gesture, blurring boundaries between interior and exterior. This architectural move not only maximizes the site's natural topography but also creates a seamless dialogue with the lush surrounding forest.

Nendo's approach transcends mere architectural design; it is a profound exploration of familial dynamics, where space becomes a medium for expressing emotional connections and individual identities.

Design Team - Founded in 2002 by visionary architect Oki Sato, nendo has emerged as a globally recognized design powerhouse that transcends traditional architectural boundaries. Headquartered in Tokyo with an additional Milan office, the firm has consistently redefined contemporary design through its distinctive minimalist approach and innovative spatial conceptualization.

Sato, born in Toronto and educated at Waseda University, has positioned nendo as an internationally acclaimed design practice, repeatedly recognized for groundbreaking architectural and design solutions. The firm's portfolio demonstrates an exceptional ability to blend functionality with poetic spatial narratives, transforming mundane environments into extraordinary experiences.

With a multidisciplinary team of over 30 designers, nendo's approach goes beyond conventional architectural practice. Their design philosophy centers on creating spaces that respond sensitively to human experiences, utilizing a strategic minimalism that prioritizes emotional and functional connectivity. Each project—whether residential, commercial, or installation—reflects a meticulous attention to detail and an understanding of spatial dynamics that sets them apart in the global design landscape.

Acclaimed globally through numerous prestigious awards including Designer of the Year at Maison & Objet and top rankings in dezeen's Designers Hot List, nendo continues to push the boundaries of architectural and design thinking, consistently challenging and reimagining our built environment.