Project Name: Mr.Forest

Location: Nasu District, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan

Design Team: TAAO + swarm Inc.

Construction: Takano Construction Co., Ltd.

Structural Design: MAY Design Office

Building Area: 44.71 m²

Total Floor Area: 42.47 m²

Site Area: 1,654 m²

Structure: Wood construction, single story

Design Period: September 2021 - April 2022

Completion: August 2022

Photography: Kenta Hasegawa

Feature：

Project - Nestled in the forests of Nasu, Tochigi Prefecture, Mr.Forest reimagines the private camping experience through an innovative architectural approach that celebrates the raw beauty of nature while providing essential modern comforts. Designed by Michihisa Aida of TAAO and Kaito Hidaka of Swarm Inc., this exclusive retreat spans 1,600 square meters and accommodates just one group per day, offering an intimate communion with the wilderness.

The project's most striking feature is its semi-underground structure, inspired by traditional pit dwellings. This architectural choice serves both practical and philosophical purposes – by partially submerging the building 750mm below the deck level, the designers have created a shelter that simultaneously minimizes its visual impact on the landscape while providing protection from Nasu's harsh climate. The slanting roof, set at a 7/10 pitch and supported by columns tilted at a 3/10 angle, evokes the primordial forms of tents and tarps, creating a dialogue between contemporary architecture and camping's ancestral roots.

The facility's layout thoughtfully responds to its topographical context. Positioned on a small hill backing onto a town road, the structure extends southward with a generous deck that serves as the main camping area. The western edge of the site is blessed with a natural stream, beside which the architects have placed a barrel sauna complemented by cold showers, a plunge pool, and an open-air relaxation space – creating a sequence of wellness experiences immersed in nature.

Despite its modest 42.47-square-meter footprint, Mr.Forest ingeniously incorporates essential amenities including changing rooms, showers, toilets, and an outdoor kitchen, all while maintaining its commitment to "hiding" within the landscape. This delicate balance between functionality and environmental sensitivity demonstrates how architecture can enhance the outdoor experience without overshadowing the natural world it seeks to celebrate.

Design Team – TAAO (Toshihisa Aida Architecture&design Office) is an emerging Japanese architectural practice founded in 2021 by Toshihisa Aida, who brings a distinctive approach to spatial design across various scales, from furniture to large-scale architectural projects. Since its inception, the firm has established itself as a noteworthy presence in Japan's contemporary architectural landscape.

Prior to establishing TAAO, Aida, born in 1987 in Tokyo, cultivated his expertise at Schema Architects (2013-2021) after completing his master's degree at Tokyo Institute of Technology. His tenure at Schema was marked by significant achievements, including the JCD Award Silver Prize and Shigeki Hattori Prize for "Okomeya" (2015), and Good Design Awards for both "Kuwabara Shoten" and "Musashino Art University Building 16" (2021).

Under Aida's leadership, TAAO has quickly gained recognition for its contextual sensitivity and innovative spatial solutions. The studio's recent portfolio includes notable projects such as "Slit Park YURAKUCHO," which received both the Good Design Award and the Japan Architectural Art and Craft Association Award in 2023, "Otemachi Forest Project," and "Mr.Forest." Their work is characterized by a meticulous attention to materiality, thoughtful integration with existing contexts, and a refined approach to program organization that reflects contemporary Japanese architectural discourse.