Construction Progress

There is something incredibly rewarding about watching a sketch turn into a physical structure, especially when that structure is sitting in a landscape as dramatic as Niseko.

Our recent trips up to Hokkaido to check on the progress of Origami House have been getting more and more exciting. We are finally moving past the groundwork and seeing the core concept of the home—those distinct folded planes—start to rise out of the snow.

If you remember the original design concept, the whole idea was to take a challenging layout requirement (two overlapping squares) and wrap it in a timber-clad ceiling that mimics an origami crane or air plane. Seeing those inclined walls and the geometry of the roof-line actually framing the view toward Mount Yotei is a huge payoff for us as architects.

It’s one thing to render the building in 3D, but seeing the structure and forms interact with the Niseko light and the surrounding woods is exactly why we do this. The central foyer is already starting to feel like the heart of the home, just as intended.

We still have work to do before the snow settles for the season, but every site visit brings us a little closer to the finish line this planned for this Summer. We can’t wait to show you more as the interior starts to catch up with the exterior.

Stay tuned for more updates from the site!