Interesting architectural news from our Belgian connection at LEAD!
YEZO is a small retreat, nestled in the northern mountain range of Hokkaido, Japan, that takes advantage of the dramatic landscape and an experimental design approach to create a private sanctuary surrounded by nature.
Its lean tectonic system combined with only a most essential spatial programme redefines the modern meaning of true luxury: a place and time for quiet reflection and private enjoyment in a setting defined by wood, stone, water, and light, surrounded by ever-changing natural beauty.
The project adopts a minimalist, yet expressive, performance-driven material and construction approach that integrates with the mountain space of Hokkaido seamlessly, whilst practising a sustainable design philosophy with the utilization of glue-laminated timber (GluLam) beams. The GluLam beams are carefully shaped to operate in pure tension, resulting in a weight- and material reduction of 90% when compared to straight beams. Their shape is optimised to allow fabrication from one single mould.
This wondrous architecture piece is designed by Belgian architect Kristof Crolla and French architect Julien Klisz from LEAD. For more details, check out the LEAD webpage of YEZO here (click).