Houses on the Rias Coast

We designed and concept design the entire house, from design administration concept design the interior design and exterior concept design. The site overlooks the Sea of Japan, and the area is known as a scenic spot with a dynamic topography called "cave". On the other hand, if you look at the surrounding area, you will see that the labyrinth-like intricate alleys create a unique streetscape. This is a feature unique to this area, with a square-shaped structure with cranked intersections to prevent the north wind from blowing through. By incorporating this unique alley structure into the ground floor plan, the architectural volume is segmented and harmonizes with the surrounding environment. The exterior and entrance hall are structured like a topography based on the motif of the ria coast, and the continuity with the streetscape is ensured by setting back from the south side. On the other hand, the north façade is raised one step higher than the surrounding area, and has a three-dimensional square-shaped structure intended to prevent the north wind from blowing through to the city. For the exterior finish, in order to echo the external characteristics of the ria coastline, with its rocky surface at the bottom and lush trees at the top, we used rock-like concrete with exposed aggregates for the lower layer, and wood-grain concrete with cedar board formwork for the upper layer. Both the aggregates that appear on the surface and the cedar board formwork materials are made from materials that can be collected in the area, and we hope that the unique expressions of the materials will weave the unique scenery of the location into the future. In addition, by applying this two-tiered structure to the finishes of the interior spaces as well, it creates a sense of unity with the architecture, contributing to fostering a sense of unity between the inside and outside.

As we proceeded with design administration, we received a request to create something resembling a traditional inn. Based on this interpretation that "the true essence of an inn is to fully appreciate the charm of the land," we aimed to create a building that would reflect the context and culture of the surrounding environment and allow the visitor to feel the majestic nature. The site was in a great location overlooking the Sea of Japan, but there were two public roads between it and the coast, so we needed to find a way to incorporate the majestic scenery while still maintaining privacy.

Using elevation coordinate data from the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan's Basic Map Information, we created an accurate 3D model of a wide area of topography covering approximately 4km x 4km, including the sandy beach and the magnificent ria coastline as seen from the site. By utilizing this data design administration using BIM, it became possible to accurately simulate from a first-person perspective how the view would be seen from inside the building. How can the openings frame the view from inside the building while blocking views from the surrounding environment, such as public roads and neighboring houses? By optimizing the design of the openings, we were able to create a sense of unity with the surrounding natural environment, where the view from the openings feels like a part of the interior.