Project Overview
Nestled in Niseko, Hokkaido, Yuki no Mori is a luxury private villa commanding sweeping views of world-class ski slopes and untouched forests.
With Lutron HomeWorks, a comprehensive lighting control system, the residence achieves seamless, whole-home control of lighting and window treatments—from the dramatic double-height living space to the master suite and entrance—delivering comfort, elegance, and precision to every moment.
West Canada Homes specializes in luxury homes and we believe the greatest luxury is simplicity. We explored various options, but the Lutron HomeWorks system blended seamlessly with our corporate values: Reliability, Quality and Simplicity. Our client wished for a simple system that was not complicated to use and could easily be set up to align with their way of living. This made the decision to use Lutron HomeWorks extremely easy.
Challenges & Design Intent
The expansive atrium, connecting the first and second floors, contains several large windows which flood the interior with natural light. This stunning architectural element also created challenges for the design team: managing glare during snow-covered seasons and maintaining thermal comfort in a harsh climate.
The homeowner envisioned an intuitive living experience—one where the atmosphere of the entire villa could be transformed instantly through a single scene, without complex operations. Equally important was the need to faithfully realize the lighting designer’s creative vision, while ensuring a system flexible enough to evolve with future requirements.
Program Details
| Areas | Dining room, Japanese-style room, living room, master bedroom, lounge, staircase, entrance, and more |
| Shade Types | Automated roller shades, drapery, and wood blinds |
| Control System | HomeWorks |
Transcending the boundaries of light sources, lighting manufacturers, and control systems, HomeWorks’ natural and seamless dimming—which encompasses all types of lighting fixtures—and the Alisse keypad have enhanced the luxurious elegance of the architecture. Furthermore, these elements allow the design to harmonize seamlessly with the atmosphere and passage of time unique to the Niseko location, ideally embodying the “essence of Niseko” by aligning with the rhythm of nature without disrupting the magnificent scenery.
Solution
Lutron HomeWorks was installed as the central intelligence of the residence. Lighting and window treatments—including roller shades, drapery, and wood blinds—are fully synchronized, automatically shaping light throughout the day in response to time, season, and selected scenes.
Elegant Alisse keypads, discreetly installed throughout the home, offer effortless one-touch control, allowing residents to recall their preferred moods instantly and intuitively.
Key Benefits
– One-touch scene control with Alisse keypads, simplifying daily living
– Precise management of daylight and glare in the dramatic double-height space
– Flexible scene programming that adapts beautifully to seasonal changes in natural light
– Faithful realization of the lighting designer’s vision, from concept to execution
– Future-ready scalability, allowing the system to grow with the residence
When planning a space, there are areas that are intended to function as individual units and others that are meant to function as a cohesive whole.
In this project, by adopting HomeWorks to embody the concept of a cohesive space, we were able to unify the control keypads into a single design, creating a space where the interplay between the physical environment and its controls is visually integrated. To make the most of Niseko’s scenery, we often design buildings with large and numerous windows, which in turn requires a shading plan. When considering what control method would allow the owner to use the system without any inconvenience, the combination of the HomeWorks system and the beautifully designed Alisse keypad proved to be an excellent choice.
Motorized Window Treatment Strategy
Lutron motorized window treatments were installed throughout the atrium, living areas, and private rooms. By combining roller shades, blinds, and drapery, the solution responds seamlessly to diverse needs—balancing daylight, privacy, blackout control, and thermal performance.
| Automated Roller Shades | Fine-tuning daylight and preserving views |
| Automated Drapery | Nighttime blackout and enhanced insulation |
| Venetian Wood Blinds | Architectural warmth with precise angle control |
Guided by intuition and a faithfulness to the surrounding natural environment, the design of Yuki no Mori called for a comprehensive control system, automated window treatments, and superior lighting design. In a residence where embodying a stunning atmosphere was as important as maintaining comfort, Lutron solutions came together to provide ease and flexibility to this luxury villa in Niseko, Hokkaido.
