exclusive ‘kodomari fuji’ retreat by terunobu fujimori recalls a ship
CategoriesArchitecture

exclusive ‘kodomari fuji’ retreat by terunobu fujimori recalls a ship

kodomari fuji, a ship-like retreat crowned with cherry trees

 

In the town of Fujimi, close to the Nagano-Yamanashi prefectures border, Kodomari Fuji emerges as an exclusive and snug retreat designed by Japanese architect Terunobu Fujimori. Standing on a small hilltop and overlooking the rural landscape as if it were the sea, the property’s elongated structure recalls the body of a ship drifting into open waters. Charred cedar panels envelop the building skin, while a roofscape composed of hand-crafted copper plates and planted cherry trees crown the retreat — offering visitors the chance to enjoy the property’s changing appearance over the years. According to  Kodomari Fuji, a nearby 300-year-old weeping cherry tree inspired the planting along the roof. This is Fujimori’s first accommodation project in Japan. 

sited in rural japan, this exclusive retreat by terunobu fujimori recalls a sailing ship
all images courtesy Kodomari Fuji

 

 

Terunobu Fujimori brings pristine qualities to the interiors 

 

As for the interiors, Terunobu Fujimori used plaster to coat the walls and chestnut wood to cover the floors and build the furniture. The material palette ultimately echoes the ‘pristine’ quality of the Fujimi context. Visitors pick up on this impression by entering the living room, boasting a relaxing atmosphere and an open deck, devoid of unnecessary ormanents and distracting color compositions. Meanwhile, the bedroom, a 63 sqm private space, provides a quiet space for a peaceful slumber. Kodomari Fuji provides guests with environmentally friendly amenities, including air conditioning, underfloor heating, wood stove, electric kettle, refrigerator, rice cooker, a full set of cooking utensils, a full set of tableware, Wi-Fi, and a Bluetooth speaker.

sited in rural japan, this exclusive retreat by terunobu fujimori recalls a sailing ship
the small inn is located in Fujimi, close to the Nagano-Yamanashi prefectures border

 

 

creating an exclusive atmosphere amid the japanese hillscape

 

Considering its geo-historical and folkloric context, the 4,000 sqm property area has established a strict set of rules to maintain an exclusive atmosphere for current and future visitors. Essentially, access is limited to registered guests and to five people per day; sharing interior photos on social media is forbidden; and wearing strong fragrances or heavily scented fabric softeners is advised against so as not to ‘distub’ the aromatic character of Kodomari Fuji. Lastly, as the inn occupies a small village where children and elderly reside, visitors are encouraged to reduce driving speed upon arrival and to avoid entering nearby fields, gardens, or private areas when taking a stroll in the surroundings. The address to the inn is also provided at the time of booking. 

sited in rural japan, this exclusive retreat by terunobu fujimori recalls a sailing ship
entrance to Kodomari Fuji

sited in rural japan, this exclusive retreat by terunobu fujimori recalls a sailing ship
living room area coated in plaster

sited in rural japan, this exclusive retreat by terunobu fujimori recalls a sailing ship
keeping the interiors ‘pristine’

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Dezeen In Depth features exclusive interview with Yasmeen Lari
CategoriesSustainable News

Dezeen In Depth features exclusive interview with Yasmeen Lari

Yasmeen Lari RIBA Gold Medal winner 2023

This month’s Dezeen In Depth newsletter features an exclusive interview with the 2023 RIBA Royal Gold Medal winner and reflections from Max Fraser on Milan design week. Subscribe to Dezeen In Depth now.

Architects must stop waiting for commissions from wealthy clients and prioritise designing for the planet, says RIBA Royal Gold Medal winner Yasmeen Lari in this exclusive interview.

Speaking to Dezeen from her home in Pakistan, Lari said she hopes her Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Royal Gold Medal win can encourage other architects to use their skills to alleviate crises such as climate change.

“I feel that an architect’s role should be more of an activist now,” Lari told Dezeen.

“If you want to change the world, then you’ve got to fight it out. Otherwise, you are just driven by what other people want,” she continued.

Read the full interview ›

Aerial view of a bamboo pavilion in Makli by Lari, who specialises in creating low-cost and low-carbon buildings for disadvantaged communities

April’s Dezeen in Depth also features an opinion piece from Fraser, Dezeen’s new editorial director, reflecting on Milan design week 2023 and an exploration of how different architecture and design studios with famous founders are handling the sensitive issue of succession.

The photography is courtesy of Yasmeen Lari.

Dezeen In Depth

Dezeen In Depth is sent on the last Friday of every month and delves deeper into the major stories shaping architecture and design. Each edition includes an original feature article on a key topic or trend, an interview with a prominent industry figure and an opinion piece from a leading critic. Read the latest edition of Dezeen In Depth or subscribe here.

You can also subscribe to our other newsletters; Dezeen Agenda is sent every Tuesday containing a selection of the most important news highlights from the week, Dezeen Debate is sent every Thursday featuring a selection of the best reader comments and most talked-about stories and Dezeen Daily is our daily bulletin that contains every story published in the preceding 24 hours on Dezeen.

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