blog: design, place, people

Explore Niseko and beyond with us. [Photos © Sanctuary Niseko unless stated otherwise]

A quote from the book by Kengo Kuma a groundbreaking architect: ‘Any new project is my dream project. No matter how small it is, it’s a space for dreaming.'

Elevation Hirafu is master planned and designed by Japanese architectKengo Kuma and Associates . To be developed in harmony with nature, the architecture and roof landscape integrates a modern aesthetic into the natural serene surroundings. Expansive glass walls allow abundant light to penetrate further into indoor living, bringing the outdoors in, with panoramic enjoyment and sustainability in mind.

elevationhirafu.com

A Self-Regulating Hokkaido Home By archi LAB

Sapporo-based studio archi LAB designed ‘CYIN’, an elevated house that adapts to the seasons. The top-heavy residence, located in Asahikawa, was built to stay cool in summer and self-insulate during harsh winters. To this effect, a series of columns elevate the house above ground, protecting it from the snow that accumulates underneath and creating a garden space for use in the warmer months below. Windows strategically positioned to maximise ventilation and shade during summer months. Indoors, the open-plan living space was constructed with plywood, giving the house a warm, cozy feel.

Dezeen
photos: 一級建築士事務所　アーキラボ・ティアンドエム/archi LAB.t+m

ART BRUT - Sapporo Odori Underground Gallery

The term Art Brut was first used by the painter Jean Dubuffet to refer to a range of art forms outside the conventional dictates of the art world. He amassed a large collection of graffiti art and art made by the mentally ill, prisoners, children, and other naive (untrained) artists, whose raw or innocent vision and directness of technique he admired. In turn, he sought to emulate these qualities in his own work, and in 1948 he established a society to encourage the study of Art Brut. This kind of art has also been referred to as Outsider art; that designation has been applied to Dubuffet’s own work and that ofAdolf Wölfli and others.

ART Alert SAPPORO
artalert-sapporo.com/events/detail/712

Do you recognise this building?

A different perspective of the familiar pit-stop along route 230 – Situated at the crossroads leading towards Kutchan and Rusutsu, in the town of Kimobetsu, Hokkaido, Japan, GR230's primary function is to provide services centered around food from the local area and tourist information. It comprises a highway service center, a farmer's market and a restaurant, and serves as a vital hub that connects various towns and areas in the Shiribeshi subprefecture.

Designed by 株式会社コウド一級建築士事務所 Code Architectural Design the building features an undulating exterior skin that wraps around the windows and eventually pulls away from the earth. Long, dark and reclusive in form, with large openings positioned low to the ground on the inside, the architecture skilfully distorts the scale of the interior volumes while framing Mount Shiribetsu in the distance.

designboom
Dezeen
ArchDaily

Apartment For An Artist By Jun Igarashi, Sapporo (2016)

Transformation of a compact 36 sqm apartment into a gallery-like space that would be used as both an artist's studio and her city dwelling The veiling of domestic traces - the windows, the kitchen, the resting areas from the main living and studio area - with the raw, yet seamless treatment of its surfaces create a tranquil inner world and give an almost ethereal quality to the space.

The ingenious insertion of a wall with a large rectangular opening between the windows and the living space provides an air buffer that keeps the apartment warm in the cold winter months, as well as frames and filters the light that comes through the windows to illuminate the apartment.

A Good Read

Japan, a nation of Shokunin, dedicated chefs and artisans quietly pursuing perfection, with more Michelin stars than France, and more tiny, mind-blowing restaurants in a city block than most great cities have in their entire expanse.

In researching Rice, Noodle, Fish, the critically-acclaimed book published by Roads & Kingdoms and Anthony Bourdain, author Matt Goulding spent two years traveling around Japan, covering thousands of miles, meeting world-class chefs and food producers, and eating hundreds of meals along the way.

A key character in the book is also no other than Niseko local Ioanna Morelli, co-owner of the legendary Gyu+ Bar (aka the fridge door).

The resulting book, a deep narrative exploration of the country’s most essential culinary traditions, provides the perfect blueprint for a 10-day journey into the heart of Japanese food culture from May 10-20th 2016.

Get the book : amazon.com/Rice-Noodle-Fish-Travels-Through/dp/0062394037
&
Book the tour : roadsandkingdoms.com/2015/rice-noodle-fish-journey-info/

On Patina

On Patina

Designed by Sapporo based Nakayama Architects co.,Ltd., Boukyo House makes an artful and efficient use of space. With the objective to make the most of every inch, the house architecture is a simple box, but that’s as far as simplicity goes in this elaborate design.

From the weathered exterior to the artistic interiors, the home’s mature presence makes its way indoors through carefully contemplated finishes. Unassuming perforated walls cast a spectacular sun-lit pattern reminiscent of detailed delicate filigree work. Exposed beams stretch from wall to wall, while a wonderful staircase makes its way from level to level. This ambitious architecture aimed to create true privacy for residents, and as a result the architects planned the house so as to maximize the area between private and public living spaces. The result is a floor plan that puts the two bedrooms and bathroom on one level, and the living room, dining room, kitchen and workroom on another.

e-architect.co.uk
photos : Nakayama Architects

Katachi Gallery at Bang2, Upper Hirafu

Handmade Niseko craft art on exhibition and for sale at Katachi Gallery at Bang2, Upper Hirafu.

Artists featured – Masako Kitajima (Glass Gallery DOUMU), Kumiko Kiriyama (HU HU), Masafumi Sawada (RAM Kobo), Shoichiro Nishiuma (WEST HORSE), Sachiko Hayashi (Frontier Art Farm), Shuichi Yoshimitsu (SHU Jewelry), Shintaro Tashiro & Takeshi Sasaki (Yunosato Desk)

Artist Profile | Tadashi Kawamata

One of Japan's most distinguished artists, Tadashi Kawamata is known for projects that radically redefine individual relations to built space. Sometimes taking the form of walkways or raised concourses that alter the circulation or scale of public space, and at other times possessed of more sculptural dynamics, his interventions constructed from materials like scrap lumber and old chairs often develop with the involvement of the local community, and Kawamata is also active as a teacher and frequent participant in public workshops. Without necessarily being about anything, then, Kawamata's practice embodies the discursive potential of art - its ability to set bodies and ideas in motion.

Born in Hokkaido, Japan in 1953, He has had many one-man exhibitions and projects throughout Europe, the United States and Japan including the Serpentine Gallery, London, the Kunsthalle, Recklinghausen and the Meguro Museum of Art, Tokyo. Tadashi Kawamata exhibited at the 40th Venice Biennale in 1982, and later was invited to Documenta VIII and Documenta IX.

tk-onthetable.com

Look who's cooking at the Cow Parade Niseko Sayonara Party, 3 October 2015 at Ki Niseko

Three celebrated chefs – Yuichi Kamimura (Restaurant Kamimura), Dennis van den Brink (Green Farm Cafe),  Shinichi Maeda (An Dining) – will be preparing special canapes for the Cow Parade Niseko Sayonara Party from 16:00 - 19:00 on 3 October 2015 at Ki Niseko. 

Yuichi Kamimura's canapes such as Foie Gras in Choux Pastry, Egg and Smoked Herring Roe Sandwich, Eggplant wrapped in Parma Ham will feature fresh, seasonal Hokkaido ingredients and showcase his signature cooking techniques. 

Dennis van den Brink will be preparing Cannellini with Roasted Fennel & Sun Dried Roma Crostini, Smoked Beef Tongue & Romesco Tacos, Roast Pumpkin Stracciatella Gelato for dessert and other delicious canapes using the freshest local ingredients. 

On Shinichi Maeda incredible canapes menu will include Charcoal-Grilled Beef Sirloin Skewers with Miso Ginger Sauce, Konbu Jime Wild Salmon and Salmon Caviar Nigiri Sushi (Seasonal Hokkaido fish), Special Potato Croquette, Poached Yoichi Pear and Yoichi Apple Jelly and more.

Join us for an afternoon of music, fine food and wine! Limited tickets at 2,500JPY available online at www.cowparadeniseko.com or from Explore Niseko.

“I like to showcase the fresh local produce of Hokkaido in new, interesting ways. I think of myself as a restaurateur, not only a chef, as the whole experience of dining – from great good, atmosphere and service – matters.” - Yuichi Kamimura, Michel…

“I like to showcase the fresh local produce of Hokkaido in new, interesting ways. I think of myself as a restaurateur, not only a chef, as the whole experience of dining – from great good, atmosphere and service – matters.” - Yuichi Kamimura, Michelin-Starred Chef and Restaurateur,Restaurant Kamimura

“Food is a means to feed yourself, it is something that concerns everyone. It is important to make food that people enjoy, and we try to do it in the best way possible.” – Dennis van den Brink, Niseko Green Farm Cafe and DNA

“Food is a means to feed yourself, it is something that concerns everyone. It is important to make food that people enjoy, and we try to do it in the best way possible.” – Dennis van den Brink, Niseko Green Farm Cafe and DNA

“Honesty is the most important thing – it’s the easiest way to live. I like to be honest with everything – with life, work and it’s the same when it comes to food.” – @Shinichi Maeda, Owner and Chef at 杏ダイニング／杏カフェ＆バー　An Dining / An Cafe&Bar

“Honesty is the most important thing – it’s the easiest way to live. I like to be honest with everything – with life, work and it’s the same when it comes to food.” – @Shinichi Maeda, Owner and Chef at 杏ダイニング／杏カフェ＆バー　An Dining / An Cafe&Bar

Happening this week: Niseko Craft Art Festival 2015

Hotel Chalet Ivy presents its 3rd Niseko Craft Art Festival 2015: An Exhibition by Niseko Artisans, featuring the works of 16 Niseko and international artisans.

This year’s exhibition showcases a diverse collection of craft work that includes furniture, metal work, musical instruments, accessories, bicycle design, and organic wearable contemplations. The handcrafted artwork on display will also be for sale at the exhibition.

The exhibition opens 16 September and continues through to 23 September 2015.

Texture and Composition

Abandoned buildings, Soga, Niseko