Finally – a single location of all things Nendo! The Japanese design studio has set up its own archive facility in the nature-rich environment bordering Miyota in Japan’s Nagano Prefecture. In Nendo fashion, the space manages to pull off a look of minimalism, ingenuity and elegance all at the same time.
The Culvert Guesthouse uses elongated, sectioned concrete culverts in varying lengths, a material normally used to house underground water and power utilities and fixtures. Two pairs of tunnels are oriented in different directions, stacked atop each other and covered with a roof in the middle. Nendo’s works line the length of the longest tunnel; the other volumes host smaller storage rooms, as well as a compact bedroom, study, kitchen, and bathroom. Glass windows on both ends cap off each tunnel.
Earthquake-resistant, Culvert Guesthouse is surrounded by gravel and plantings, elements that are also present in the open-air central courtyard. “The resulting space is less architectural, but rather a project that combines civil engineering concepts with product design details,” says the studio.
Photography © Daici Ano / Takumi Ota