Reality in Rural Areas

'Strong-Boned Architecture' that can stand the test of time.We always try to keep this in mind when we are designing. Architecture can only exist in relation to the people who use the building, the surrounding environment (nature, city, and landscape), and the historical background that surrounds it. The architecture we have produced to date has been built in different locations, such as castle towns, suburban residential areas, and rural areas. Each is the result of a confrontation with the reality of the local area.

We are designing in the western part of Mie Prefecture, a regional city located roughly halfway between Osaka and Nagoya. We have been designing with the ideal that the architecture we have been working on will be a catalyst to change the suburban landscape into a lively form. One of the most important aspects of his work is "location. Whenever we have the opportunity to work on a project, we are confronted with the challenges that each site poses. Before asking about the requirements, I walk around the site and the surrounding area, and I cherish the moment when I genuinely imagine what kind of architecture will be built in this place. We try to imagine what the place is looking for by drawing on our own experiences of the space and the city. We are not fixated on a single style, nor do we become entrenched in the locality, but always think sincerely about what is appropriate for the place. By doing so, we believe that we can tackle issues specific to each location while at the same time achieving universality and connecting architecture to society without closing it off.

On the other hand, I also want to create architecture that will remain beautiful even after it is abandoned. As those who live in the suburbs will understand, scrap-and-build is not repeated at the same speed in rural areas as it is in urban areas. Once something is built, it does not disappear easily. It would be nice if the next user could be found, but in many cases, things are left as they are. When I think about what will remain at that time, I would like to create an architecture with a beautiful silhouette that can withstand the test of time. It may be similar to how a decaying warehouse looks beautiful. I think that is the minimum work for an architect.