A "seamless flow" of spaces including a library, 250-tree garden and a shared social space form the heart of the Shigeru Ban-designed Shishi-Iwa House boutique hotel in Japan.
The practice of the Pritzker-prize winning architect designed the 10-room resort, called Shishi-Iwa House, to be "a restorative retreat that reinforces the relationship between nature, architecture and human connection".

Located in Karuizawa, a mountain resort in Nagano Prefecture around 90 miles from Tokyo, the retreat is nestled in woodland, surrounded by the area's famous views of mountains, rivers and small villages.
The 10 rooms are spread across three two-storey terrace villas, designed to encourage both public and private experiences through a continuous flow of spaces and shared amenities.
"Everything from the construction to the furniture and interior detailing was carefully planned and considered to achieve a bespoke atmosphere," said Ban.
"Blending the interior and exterior spaces, we created unique openings in the guest rooms and social areas to allow the best views of the garden and encourage outdoor access."

A large set of timber-framed glass doors welcomes guests into a double-height reception and library space that opens directly out into the garden.
Clusters of three to four rooms with shared kitchenettes sit around the Grand Room, a shared space that also connects to the garden with an adjacent kitchen for hosting large dinners.

The struct...