The Vale Niseko

Infobox Skyscraper
building_name = The Vale Niseko
year_highest =
year_end =
plural =
location = Hirafu Village, Niseko, Hokkaidō, Japan
status = Under Construction
groundbreaking = June 2008
constructed =
est-completion = December 2009
opening = December 2009
demolished = June 2008
destroyed =
use = Hotel Condominium|Serviced apartment
top_floor =
floor_count = 7
elevator_count =
cost = over $20 million
floor_area =
architect = Nikken Sekkei
engineer = Nikken Sekkei
interior designer = Nikken Space Design
contractor = Nakayama Gumi
developer = [http://www.nisekoalpinedevelopments.com NISADE Niseko Alpine Developments]

Overview

"The Vale Niseko", is a ski side Serviced apartment and condo-hotel property development under construction in Niseko, Japan’s northern island of Hokkaidō. Announced in 2007 [http://www.nisade.com/news/news_nihon.html] , it will be Niseko’s largest residential complex with a total of 46 residences, outdoor thermal pool, private onsen (natural thermal hot spring baths), restaurants and après ski terrace. Located on the ski run in upper Hirafu Village, construction began in June 2008 with handover expected in December 2009.

Location

"The Vale Niseko" will be one of only a handful of ski in ski out buildings in Niseko due the limited amount of residential land bordering the ski runs. Sitting at the base of the Family Run and approx 120m to the village centre, owner/developer Niseko Alpine Developments (NISADE) bought additional neighbouring land on the ski run to ensure the ski run views are preserved.

The proposed site sits above an existing onsen from which the natural hot water will be used to supply heat throughout the building.

Architecture

Architect Nikken Sekkei used a non traditional design by shaping the building around each units view, rather than treating the building as a whole. This allowed every unit to obtain maximum possible views from every room. As typical in Niseko, design is a fusion of Japanese and Western styling. "The Vale Niseko" features private onsen’s that look up the ski run, interior alpine stone, fireplaces, huge floor to ceiling glazing and Japanese style bathrooms. The buildings sheer size and location will be seen from almost anywhere in Hirafu Village. For this reason the façade incorporates frameless glass balconies, a stone base and timber cedar paneling to represent the local alpine environs.

Onsen

The building will incorporate a traditional Japanese onsen with a twist. An ultra modern design mixes with the old tradition to create a bathing experience unique only to Niseko. Designed to relax after a days powder skiing or golf, persons can choose to use the main outdoor public onsen or the units private onsen, both utilising the naturally heated volcanic waters from the 700m deep well.

External links

* [http://www.thevaleniseko.com] Official site
* [http://www.nisekoalpinedevelopments.com] Developer
* [http://www.nikkensekkei.co.jp] Project Architect
* [http://www.flickr.com/photos/29703779@N07/] Flickr

Notes