#4 November 21, 2017
Projects which accumulate smaller units into a larger whole, much like a cloud, or ‘kumo’, are underway in a number of places. Even on complex projects with many restrictions, if we can achieve the appropriate ‘smallness’ of the basic unit, then we can exploit space which would otherwise be lost. This follows the wisdom of insects, thriving in locations around the world. Because insects are small, they behave freely even in limited places. Their smallness is the key to their survival, especially in the harshest environments. Additionally, given their smallness, insects are said to be the most resilient creatures in the global environment as they can quickly adapt to their ever more dynamic surroundings.
We were recently awarded First Place in Geneva's International Development Studies Graduate School competition. We came to a solution that the dormitory and other facilities for the students should be designed around one autonomous street. Young people from all over the world will congregate here, using this semi-outdoor, flexible space for the free exchange of ideas; for communication and collaboration.
ProjectsCoeda House
Randomly stacking 8cm square cedar boards, we made a huge tree-like structure. Reinforcing with a carbon fiber rod (with a tensile strength 7 times that of iron) it becomes possible to have a single trunk with large branches while still diminishing movement during earthquakes. The site lies on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, and due to the tree-like form, we were able to eliminate columns at the perimeter which would otherwise obscure the landscape. Read MoreProjectsRoof / Birds
Roof / Birds is a guesthouse for people who love art. It sits on slope in a forest overlooking Mount Asama; a well known habitat for wild birds. In order to minimize the impact of the architecture in the forest, we divided the building into blocks and aimed for a composition wherein a collection of small roofs seems to fly through the forest. The roof of each unit opens or closes according to its relationship to the surrounding landscape, thus acting like the fluttering wings of a flock of birds. In order to ensure as much transparency as possible on the ground, a solid steel pillar of 65 mm square is used, the smallest profile we could achieve while supporting the deep wooden joists of the roof. This reduced the mass of the building to the extent that the volume appears to be floating in the forest. Read MoreProjectsWhitestone gallery taipei
This gallery with a wooden façade and interior is “inserted” into the ground floor of an office building in Taipei. The base material is a cypress board with a section size of 105mm. By stacking and gradually shifting the pieces, we were able to produce an organic and humane space in the city, which appears to be independent from the rigid framing of the building. The layering of the cypress pieces continues inside as well, forming a staircase and screen between the counters. This is an example of generating a complex and multi-faceted room using a single module. With the powerful work of contemporary art exhibited inside including that of GUTAI, the gallery explores a new potential of an art space which can grow out of conventional white cubic buildings. Read More