case-real: white dormitory for il vento

'white dormitory for il vento' by case-real in teshima kagawa, japan
all images courtesy case-real
image © hiroshi mizusaki


fukuoka-based architecture practice case-real (koichi futatsumata) has sent us images of
'white dormitory for il vento', a renovation project on an old vacant house on teshima island, japan.
conceived as a dormitory for the restaurant staff of il vento - a creation by german artist tobias rehberger
for the 2010 setouchi international art festival - the design maintains the original identity of
the traditional structure while creating a modern interior space that revolves around a central courtyard.



aerial view
image © hiroshi mizusaki


as a response to the area's depopulation, the project is a practice in making the most out of
vacant houses while leaving the established aesthetic of a neighbourhood intact: the deteriorating roof,
while replaced, mimics the basic form and colour of the original form while the small facade facing
the street was left untouched. on approach, the renovation done to the house is virtually invisible until
one enters the courtyard which has been outfitted by an elevated terrace. finished with white-washed
wood panels, this outdoor platform reads as a continuous floor from the interior, establishing
the courtyard as an extension of the dormitory itself.



site
image © hiroshi mizusaki



views of approach
images © hiroshi mizusaki



courtyard space
image © hiroshi mizusaki



view of entrance
image © hiroshi mizusaki



curvilinear terrace platform
images © hiroshi mizusaki


providing three private rooms outfitted with individual showers and kitchenette, the layout
establishes a level of privacy and autonomy between inhabitants. a communal lounge space
with a high pitched ceiling is accessed by walking through the outdoor courtyard which serves
as a buffer zone between private and public programs. the positioning of the rooms results in
a design that provides a small village-within-a-village arrangement. 



view of terrace from lounge
image © hiroshi mizusaki



skylight over lounge
image © hiroshi mizusaki



communal kitchen
image © hiroshi mizusaki



original detail in the ceiling form of lounge
image © hiroshi mizusaki



(left) private room
(right) hallway
images © hiroshi mizusaki



night view from courtyard
image © hiroshi mizusaki



image © hiroshi mizusaki



floor plan


project info:

site area: 127.9 m2
building area: 94.2 m2
structure: wood frame

design: koichi futatsumata / case-real
direction: tsuyoshi matsuzawa