WA House / Curiosity

Gwenael Nicolas has created a modern fisherman's house, iconic in appearance but modest in scale, in the stunning natural setting of Wakayama, one of Kansai's leading resorts. It is located on the coast of Nanki-Shirahama, which is also a national park. Situated on a rugged rocky coast reminiscent of the Atlantic Ocean, where Nicolas was born, the house has been carefully designed in collaboration with Haretoke Architects. It confronts nature while accepting its challenge. The linear, single-story house is designed so that the height of the building almost coincides with the ocean horizon, so as not to overwhelm nature. The character of the house is created by the unique shape of the wing-like roof, which is designed to withstand the extreme winds as the house faces the ocean.