Rina Chinen / MARU.CHI

In 2020, amid the spread of COVID-19, the design of “Hilltop House” began. The idea of having a spacious secondary base in case of emergency felt deeply reassuring. With a vision of self-sufficiency—cultivating fields, embracing nature’s bounty, coexisting with the environment, and living with gratitude—the client was drawn to a vast site surrounded by majestic natural scenery, reminiscent of "Little House on the Prairie".
The design theme was a “small house” as the minimal unit where a family could live comfortably. The building consists of a simple, elongated rectangular volume topped with a thin, origami-like roof. Passing through the low entrance, one enters a tall space with a large opening that offers sweeping views of the southern landscape.
Between the bedroom and living room, a box-like structure houses the kitchen on the living side, with storage space inside for a refrigerator, washing machine, and clothing. Exposed beams add a sense of depth to the compact interior.
A dedicated storage area accommodates tools for gardening, yard work, and snow removal, and a discreet service entrance blends seamlessly into the exterior. Located near a hot spring, the house includes only a shower room, omitting a bathtub. A wood-burning stove provides ample heat for the entire home without relying on electricity or gas.
Though modest in scale, the house opens generously to nature through a large deck and an outward-facing layout, creating a rich sense of spatial expansion.