Chobo no Ie

When I first visited the site of 'Chobo no Ie (House with a View),' I was struck by its beautiful landscape, reminiscent of an idyllic paradise. There, alongside grand nature, was a story of how people have cared for and preserved this environment. I aimed to enhance this unique landscape and, by incorporating the craftsmanship of top artisans, to create a house akin to a one-of-a-kind piece of art. To realize this vision, we welcomed the master bricklayer,
Takayama Toshihiko, and assembled a team of professionals to bring the "Chobo no Ie"
to life. My initial focus was on refining the architectural skeleton, creating a seamless integration between the house’s interior and the surrounding environment.

When I first visited the site of 'Chobo no Ie (House with a View),' I was struck by its beautiful landscape, reminiscent of an idyllic paradise. There, alongside grand nature, was a story of how people have cared for and preserved this environment. I aimed to enhance this unique landscape and, by incorporating the craftsmanship of top artisans, to create a house akin to a one-of-a-kind piece of art. To realize this vision, we welcomed the master bricklayer,
Takayama Toshihiko, and assembled a team of professionals to bring the "Chobo no Ie"
to life. My initial focus was on refining the architectural skeleton, creating a seamless integration between the house’s interior and the surrounding environment. The materials that form this house are selected for their capacity to age gracefully, their surfaces deepening in texture and shaded nuances over time. These select, authentic materials, cultivated from nature, infuse the house with a warmth akin to being enveloped by nature, stimulating the senses of those who reside within.
By designing diverse spaces within the house,
I aimed to create environments that allow residents to choose their preferred ways to spend time and gather. Each choice offers different perspectives on the views
to the outside nature, continuously capturing
the varying beauties of the landscape, leading to a series of profound emotional experiences. I hope that those who dwell in this beautiful land will layer their own cherished memories upon its landscapes.

Bricks, one of the world's oldest construction materials, have been used by human for thousands of years.
The method of making bricks has largely remained unchanged until now.
By compacting earth and innovating with the blend of iron and the firing process,
each brick is imbued with unique hues and textures. Bricks are a fusion of nature's gifts and human endeavor. Traditionally used as structural elements, today they also enhance the longevity of buildings, continuing to exist alongside humanity through generations. At 'Chobo no Ie,' our work began by selecting brick colors and textures that harmonize with the surrounding natural beauty. When laying the bricks, we first arrange them all to see how they fit with the environment, adjusting the colors and the texture of the joints for perfect integration.

Bricks, one of the world's oldest construction materials, have been used by human for thousands of years.
The method of making bricks has largely remained unchanged until now.
By compacting earth and innovating with the blend of iron and the firing process,
each brick is imbued with unique hues and textures. Bricks are a fusion of nature's gifts and human endeavor. Traditionally used as structural elements, today they also enhance the longevity of buildings, continuing to exist alongside humanity through generations. At 'Chobo no Ie,' our work began by selecting brick colors and textures that harmonize with the surrounding natural beauty. When laying the bricks, we first arrange them all to see how they fit with the environment, adjusting the colors and the texture of the joints for perfect integration. Our job as bricklayers is to breathe soul into architecture and interiors, engaging with each brick intimately. As bricks become part of the building, they start to weave new stories. Bricks are 'breathing' materials with moisture-regulating properties that mature over time. Traces created by nature, such as rain and wind, are etched upon the bricks as if painting upon a canvas. As you enjoy the designs nature creates, we hope you will also inscribe your family's new history on the stacked bricks.

Our approach to housebuilding exclusively uses domestically sourced timber, 85% of which comes from Nagano Prefecture, embodying our commitment to 'building houses with local wood.' Utilizing timber from the region not only helps maintain local forests but also continues to protect the surrounding environment. We believe that for residents to live long and prosperously on this land, nurturing the local natural environment is crucial. This philosophy has guided
our efforts to create houses that encourage sustainable local activities. Twenty-five years ago, when we began this initiative, most of the wood used in construction was imported.

Our approach to housebuilding exclusively uses domestically sourced timber, 85% of which comes from Nagano Prefecture, embodying our commitment to 'building houses with local wood.' Utilizing timber from the region not only helps maintain local forests but also continues to protect the surrounding environment. We believe that for residents to live long and prosperously on this land, nurturing the local natural environment is crucial. This philosophy has guided
our efforts to create houses that encourage sustainable local activities. Twenty-five years ago, when we began this initiative, most of the wood used in construction was imported. We changed this by developing a network with local foresters and lumber dealers, and now we build all 100 of our annual houses entirely with local wood.
These houses are crafted from carefully selected materials that have grown on this land, finished by the skilled hands of local artisans. Through our careful building process, infused with the dedication of everyone involved, we aspire for those who dwell in these houses to cherish this land and enjoy their lives, in a way only possible right here.