Nordic minimalism meets Japanese aesthetics in ‘Øst’ contemporary residences that celebrate the natural beauty of the sophisticated vacation destination.
Hong Kong, December 3, 2020 – Eight Partnership has created the luxury residential brand Øst for Wellwood in Japan. The investor-developer’s first luxury residential development, Øst Residence, is nestled in nature in the four-season retreat of Karuizawa, Japan, an hour by bullet-train from Tokyo. The development spans 15,000m2 and comprises 37 condominiums, private villas and an exclusive clubhouse. It will be the largest new project of its kind in this exclusive enclave, which has long been known as the hideaway of the Japanese royal family and Tokyo’s elite, and is famed for its elegant atmosphere, excellent dining, outdoor living and beautiful natural surroundings throughout the year.
This breathtaking natural setting inspired Eight’s Hong Kong and Tokyo-based teams to create a strategy built around ‘The Land Between’ – that Øst Residence is a place between city and nature, energy and peace, where one lives in the moment and time is only sensed through the passage of the seasons. The name ‘Øst’ also suggests the parallels between Japanese and Scandinavian culture in their deep-seated appreciation for nature – it means east in Norwegian and refers subtly to Japan as the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’.
This fusion of cultures was also the inspiration behind the architectural and interior design concepts created by Eight, which draw on both the Japanese concept of komorebi – a play of light and shadow that changes with the seasons – and Scandinavia’s ‘quiet design’ ethos, where the use of neutral palettes, natural materials and clean lines fosters a zen-like lifestyle that subtly weaves the experience into the surrounding lush forests.
Chris Fjelddahl, Partner at Eight, says, “As a Norwegian, I find echoes of Scandinavian culture and its contemplative appreciation of nature throughout Karuizawa. It’s a haven of natural wonders, offering silent and peaceful luxury that is a natural fit with Nordic design philosophy that celebrates purity and minimalism. Bringing together two cultures, two design sensibilities separated by continents yet so remarkably compatible, Eight’s Scandinavian roots and Japanese background come into full play to create an all-season, nature-infused retreat that only Karuizawa can offer.”
Koshiro Hiroi, the Chairman of Wellwood, says, “It was a pleasure to work with Eight. They understand our vision of developing a luxury residential brand rooted in hygge – an approach to living that embraces positivity and enjoyment of everyday experiences, which is a core concept in the Nordic region. Marrying the notion of simplicity, sensibility and an appreciation for nature with Japanese traditional architecture and craftsmanship, we are excited to see our project come to life in Karuizawa - a longtime beloved getaway resort destination in Japan.”
About Wellwood Limited
Wellwood was established in 2015 as a boutique real estate firm in Japan specialising in inbound and outbound investments, development, regional revitalisation, and M&A. Wellwood provides customised solutions and planning advisory for investors in Asia and Europe. With a solid foothold in Japanese real estate across various property sectors, Wellwood has been working on luxury residential and hospitality developments in Tokyo and Osaka, as well as the redevelopment of regional gateway cities and sports stadium development.