KAZUHIKO NAMBA+KAI WORKSHOP: kamaishi box

'kamaishi box' by KAZUHIKO NAMBA+KAI WORKSHOP in kamaishi city, iwate, japan
all images courtesy KAZUHIKO NAMBA+KAI WORKSHOP
image © mitsumasa fujitsuka / helico co. ltd.


tokyo-based architecture practice KAZUHIKO NAMBA+KAI WORKSHOP has shared with us
images of 'kamaishi box', small meeting space in kamaishi, iwate prefecture, japan. located in
a city that was heavily hit by the tsunami of march 2011, the temporary shelter responds to
the area's need for spaces of assembly by providing a public building that can be easily assembled
and disassembled as required.



street view
image © mitsumasa fujitsuka / helico co. ltd.


measuring merely 40 m2, the simple rectangular layout is devised in two parts: an indoor forum
that can host full private meetings, and an outdoor terrace that generously runs the front elevation
of the box. a series of sliding glass doors provide a sense of connection between the two,
illuminating the former with soft natural light. the meeting house acts as a spatial focus point for
the public park and neighbourhood.

solid and unassuming in its exterior, the box is constructed out of japanese cedar panels which have been
burnt and polished to a dark finish. in order to aid the quick disassembly and reassembly of the structure,
the design utilizes a system of dry joints instead of glue.




within context
image © mitsumasa fujitsuka / helico co. ltd.



terrace
image © mitsumasa fujitsuka / helico co. ltd.



under overhang
image © mitsumasa fujitsuka / helico co. ltd.



interior view
image © mitsumasa fujitsuka / helico co. ltd.



in use
image © mitsumasa fujitsuka / helico co. ltd.



construction shots
image © mitsumasa fujitsuka / helico co. ltd.



image © mitsumasa fujitsuka / helico co. ltd.



image © mitsumasa fujitsuka / helico co. ltd.



top off axonometric


structural axonometric



site map / suzuko park



site plan



plan



longitudinal section



cross section



east elevation



north elevation



south elevation