HOUSE OF FALLING SNOW

Set within the snow forests of Niseko, House of Falling Snow creates a quiet relationship between dark architecture and the changing winter landscape.

Located within a dense birch forest near Niseko, House of Falling Snow is designed as a sequence of sheltered spaces shaped by Hokkaido’s extreme winter climate. Kuro Mori Atelier organised the 584-square-metre residence around three interconnected volumes positioned between existing trees. Steeply pitched roofs manage heavy snowfall, while deep overhangs create protected exterior spaces throughout the year. Arrival takes place through a narrow pathway between dark charred-cedar walls. The entrance gradually opens towards an internal courtyard where snow, stone and a single birch tree become part of the interior experience. The main living space occupies the largest volume. A dramatic granite fireplace anchors the room, while floor-to-ceiling glazing frames uninterrupted views of the surrounding forest. Interiors combine Hokkaido oak, textured plaster, dark steel and natural stone. Furniture remains low and restrained, allowing the landscape to dominate each space. The principal bedroom occupies a quieter wing of the residence and opens towards a private snow-covered courtyard with an outdoor thermal bath. Environmental strategies are integrated throughout the architecture. Geothermal heating supports the interior spaces, while high-performance glazing and carefully insulated walls reduce heat loss during the region’s long winters. House of Falling Snow finds luxury through restraint. The architecture does not compete with the landscape but creates spaces from which its smallest changes—the movement of snow, shifting daylight and silence of the forest—can be experienced.