Calli Mingopoulos - Design Portfolio

Situated near a hot spring in Oyunuma, Japan, the Forest Lodge is an off-the-grid spa for reconnecting with nature. More akin to “luxury camping” than a five-star resort, the Forest Lodge immerses visitors in nature as it exists, not a man-made version. The forest remains as untouched as possible with the lodgings scattered throughout the site in discreet charred timber cladding that blends in with its surroundings. Interior spaces are minimally furnished and predominantly conditioned passively to encourage visitors to spend their time outdoors; hiking through Oyunuma’s valleys, relaxing in warm natural baths or enjoying the night breeze with other travellers. Being subjected to the elements is not seen as bad here, but another opportunity to become attuned to nature and connect. It is a chance to connect with strangers through shared meals and stories or reflect upon ourselves in a quiet bath.

This fourth-year architecture school project was crafted using a combination of hand sketching, Illustrator, Photoshop and Rhino.

Conceptual sketches of approaching the Lodge's main entrance.

SECTIONAL PARTI DIAGRAMS. The building’s architectural and passive strategies were designed sectionally. The Lodge’s main feature is that the lower level and bathing program is submerged below grade. When approaching from the south, the Lodge appears as an unassuming single-story building nestled in the forest-- when in reality it opens up expansively to the valley on the north. Not only does this offer different framed views of its surroundings, but it also helps the building’s energy efficiency. The upper level takes advantage of south-facing glazing for passive solar gain and north light for diffuse daylighting while the thermally-bermed lower level conserves geothermally generated heat- creating a warm, soothing and dimly lit space.

Lodge and cabin floor plans.

RenderED view OF the ACCOMMODATION cabins. The accommodation cabins are staggered along the path to provide guests with a view of the woods uninterrupted by other buildings. The cabins are modest and intended only for sleeping and storing belongings, similar to a more robust version of camping. The design encourages visitors to spend their time outside on the covered porch or in the lodge to meet and interact with other guests, creating a sense of community.

SECTION THROUGH THE LODGE'S LOUNGE & POOLS (with building assembly details).

Rendered views from inside the main lodge. Spaces are programmatically partitioned to experience the full pitch of the exposed timber roof and provide all spaces with a relationship to nature. For example, the lounge can be completely opened via large mechanical doors and pivot frame glazing, blurring the division between inside and outside. Meanwhile, the spa achieves this relationship by being permanently open and unconditioned (aside from heating the concrete floors), creating a contemporary cavern-like bathing experience. From left to right: view from the lounge, view from the west stairwell, view from the main bath, parti diagram of views.

MAIN LODGE ELEVATIONS AND LONGITUDINAL SECTION. Programs are differentiated by sensory qualities that directly correlate with the concept of varying ‘degrees of collectivity or isolation’. Bright, lively, stimulating places (such as the lounge and kitchen) are designed as communal spaces that promote larger gatherings, sharing and laughter as a means to unwind. Smaller, darker, silent places (float chamber baths) aim to be moments where guests rest and reconnect with their bodies and thoughts without any outside distractions. Intermediary spaces, where one is aware of others, but does not necessarily see them (cabin bunks and showers) or places that promote smaller-scale gatherings (stairwells and greenhouse), create a gradient of sensory/spatial qualities.

ARTIST'S RESIDENCE'S PLAN AND SECTION. Located at the end of the path, the Artist’s Residence and Archive (a travel library for visitors to use and share) function as a communal gathering place and destination spot. The Artist’s Residence follows the same logic as the Main Lodge; modest living above and open studio space below opening up to the landscape.

SITE'S PASSIVE STRATEGY AXONOMETRICS. The Forest Lodge aimed to rely on the grid as little as possible and employed passive sun, rain and wind strategies to minimize its resource footprint. This project also included comprehensive energy, mechanical, structural and building envelope design.