Inspired by the delicate art of a Japanese gift box like Kiribako or Oribako, where each layer is thoughtfully designed to build anticipation and surprise, this retreat house gradually reveals itself, much like the careful unwrapping of nature’s gift. Situated within the tranquil, dense forest of Kitakaruizawa.
Architecture firm
Temporary Office
Location
Kitakaruizawa, Japan
Tools used
Rhinoceros 3D, V-ray, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator
Principal architect
Vincent Yee Foo Lai; Douglas Min Yi Lee
Design team
Vincent Yee Foo Lai , Douglas Min Yi Lee, Xuecheng Kang, River Zehua He (Visualizer)
Collaborators
Xuechen Kang
Visualization
River Zehua He
Typology
Residential › House
Inspired by Cambodia’s traditional Khmer housing, the new retreat hut reinforces the significance of the gable roof with a uniform roof erected around a raised platform for living. The potential of the hut on stilts not only prevents flooding but also threads lightly onto the landscape.
Architecture firm
Temporary Office
Location
Pepper Road Phnom Voar, Cambodia
Tools used
Rhinoceros 3D, V-ray, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign
Principal architect
Xiaokang Feng; Yee Foo Lai (Vincent); Douglas Lee
Built area
20 m² per hut (multiple huts possible)
Visualization
Temporary Office
Status
International Competition. Unbuilt. 1st Prize Winner (International Competition organized by: Bee Breeders and The Vine Retreat)
