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 Atelier Tekuto
The name “Yachiyo” comes from a Japanese word which means “a long time”.
Although Atelier Tekuto’s “Re-location” project has been underway since 2007, this is the first building from the project to be completed in Japan. The site is located in Hayama, Kanagawa prefecture, about 100 meters away from the ocean. This building will be used as a residence (second home) and temporary shop.
Two disused warehouses built 100 and 120 years ago respectively were chosen to be the main structures. In order to reinforce the structure, these two warehouses were wrapped with furring strips that also function as thin columns and enhanced high-pressure wood wool cement boards with insulation materials attached. This ensured a reinforced structure, humidity control and thermal insulation.
The wrapping material, which serves three functions, was eventually reduced to a thickness of 95mm in order to secure more space and in acknowledgement of the importance of reducing thickness. Also, the material of the old warehouses was painted black in order to repel ants and provide resistance against salt attack. For the floor material on the 1st floor, bricks from factories in Shanghai 80 years ago were used, while the back of the existing floor material from the old warehouse was polished and used on the 2nd floor. In effect, materials were transported from other areas and countries and used again with new functions.
Making 100 year old materials last for another 100 years. Placing old and new materials in parallel. Putting regional and cultural differences in a parallel arrangement.
We have been working to capture some of this “sunlight” – a substance that fuses and emphasizes these differences, and that exists outside of a human time axis. This is why this “sunlight” takes the form of a thin layer that has been turned inside out. The light that enters through this gap makes us realize how dramatically different it is from existing forms. Its intention is to highlight the presence of materials and building techniques that incorporate new values and beliefs. At night, handmade lighting fixtures serve this illuminative function, floating into sight like fireflies.
 Atelier Tekuto
 Atelier Tekuto
 Atelier Tekuto
 Atelier Tekuto
 Atelier Tekuto
 Atelier Tekuto
 Atelier Tekuto
 Atelier Tekuto
Reconfiguring values:
We believe the catch phrase that will prove indispensable in the 21st century is “reconfiguring values”. To my mind, the following are important in order to achieve this:
1. Ecology
The conservation of the global environment - the most significant theme for this century – ought to be examined from a new standpoint, through new developments and reconfigurations.
2. Cross-Culture
Taking into account specific local and regional characteristics in order to achieve not just integration between different architectural styles and cultures, but also to create culture on an entirely new dimension.
3. Reconsideration of Time
A reexamination of the past in order to predict the future, as well an increased awareness of time as a phenomenon that preserves local and regional differences in material, character and phenomena by eliminating, preserving, maintaining and reworking each of these characteristics as necessary.
Based on these three approaches, we are working to “reconfigure values” by recycling, reducing and relocating Japan’s traditional old minka houses in order to bring them back to life.
Image/Text Credits:
Courtesy of Yasuhiro Yamashita
For more information please contact:
THE NEOPLUS TIMES
www.neoplus610.com
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