Taki Landscape by Masaki Takahashi Receives the Bronze A' Design Award in Landscape Planning and Garden Design

The Work

Project

Taki Landscape

Function

Landscape

Category

Landscape Planning and Garden Design

Discipline

Spatial Design

Industry

Architecture and Sustainability

Colors

Light Slate Gray, Dark Slate Gray, Light Sky Blue, Dark Olive Green and Dim Gray

Images

5

Client

Edea Corporation

The Recognition

Laureate

Masaki Takahashi

Country

Japan

Recognition

Bronze A' Design Award

Edition

2023 - 2024

Design ID

#157087

Credits

Image Credits

Main image#1 one and only Optional image#1 Waterfall Optional image#2 Fused with nature Optional image#3 Concrete steps Optional image#4 Seasonal garden

Design Details

Unique Properties

Taki is a landscape project that the designers for a site in Niseko. We wanted to create an ideal space while respecting the existing building as well as its natural environment. The design includes a staircase made out of concrete slabs, the same as used for the exterior walls. A waterfall was created by sourcing natural spring water. The walkway is lined with a great array of seasonal flowers to express the four seasons of Hokkaido.

Inspiration

Taki is a Waterfall created by a craftsman and owner who loves nature. When the landscape work started, the craftsman though it would be a brilliant waterfall which had been let out of the site during the construction work, and proposed the Taki design using the stream to the owner, which was not in the original plan, and it was adopted. The most difficult part was the positioning of the drain pipe that would create the flow of the creek, while carefully balancing it with the concrete table.

Research

Because the building is located on a steeply sloping lot surrounded by nature, we focused on designing a landscape that takes advantage of the nature and the slope, which is a blessing. The waterfall, a landmark of the project, is a one-of-a-kind waterfall that utilizes natural stone masonry, hand- crafted by artisans, and natural running water. Soft stone and hard stone are used in different locations, and different materials of the same type are used on the site to expand the range of design. The concrete steps, with their ingenious use of concrete, are made to look as if they are floating with a sense of massiveness, and stimulate a spirit of exploration.

Challenge

A natural stream, which had been kept outside of the site during the construction phase, was used as a waterfall by a craftsman's suggestion during the landscape construction. The biggest challenge was to balance the thickness of the concrete steps, the slope of the land, and the depth of the drain pipe. Careful calculations were necessary because the slope of the land changes the strength of the water flow, and the slope disturbs the balance of the concrete steps.

Realization and Technology

Concrete was used for the steps to create a sense of unity with the architecture. The concrete steps were randomly sized and randomly placed to create a moving arch. A waterfall was created by artificial means, taking advantage of the natural flow of the river. Contrary to the surface's rugged image, soft stone was used for the approach on the back side to create a soft space.

Operation and Interaction

The landscape is so unique that it catches the attention of passersby, allowing them to enjoy nature in addition to its functionality and design. In the place using soft stone, you can enjoy the atmosphere of ancient Japanese Japonisme. The concrete steps are made of concrete, and the concrete steps are made of concrete, and the concrete steps are made of concrete, and the concrete steps are made of concrete. The concrete steps are made of wide concrete, which gives the appearance of floating, so you can enjoy not only the functional aspect of climbing the stairs, but also the concrete steps themselves.

Project Duration and Location

This project took approximately five years from design proposal to completion. It is located in Niseko, Hokkaido.

Specifications

Considering the large amount of huge stones on the site from waste materials and the presence of natural running water on the site, a waterfall, a landmark of this landscape, was created in front of the building using traditional craftsmanship. By daring to incorporate natural running water into the design as a waterfall, the impact of the landscape was further enhanced. Concrete, the same material used in the construction, was used to create concrete steps with a sense of design. The concrete steps were designed to be out of balance with the slope, without any regularity.

Keywords

Waterfall, Concrete table, Masoctnry, Coexistence with nature, Four seasos