naruse inokuma architects: riku cafe

‘riku cafe’ by naruse inokuma architects in rikuzentakata, iwate, japan all images courtesy naruse inokuma architects

tokyo-based practice naruse inokuma architects (jun inokuma, yuri naruse) has shared with us images of ‘riku cafe’, a single-level project in the tsunami-stricken city of rikuzentakata, iwate, japan. recognizing the area’s lack of social focal spots and meeting points, the design is conceived as a ‘living room for the city’ and seeks to revive a community during the difficult phase of temporary construction.

approach

situated amidst an area that is scarce in potential building sites, the temporary cafe was supported and realized by a team of academic professionals, corporations, and local residents. simple and clear in form, the design adopts a classic pitched roof to exhibit a barn-like profile. the unadorned wooden exterior and straight-forward volume minimizes the project’s construction time, allowing the cafe to potentially pop up in other areas with similar needs and conditions.

exterior view

elevation

aiming to provide an open and inviting atmosphere, the design adopts a large level of transparency in a series of sliding glass doors. the interior activity is projected outwards to put on display the social functions of the cafe. though small in footprint, the sense of space is drawn vertically to the pitched ceiling with exposed wood beams providing structure overhead.

since its opening in january 2012, the female residents of the area have shared managerial tasks and have allowed the space to be used not only as a cafe but also as a hospital, pharmacy, waiting area for buses, and special events.

interior view

night view

during construction

project info:

field members: atsuko unoura, eriko oikawa, takako kikawada, kazuko yoshida (clatz-take), akira unoura (director, unoura clinic), shinichi kikawada (director, moinomaepharmacy), masaki yoshida (director, yoshida dental clinic)

supporting members: hideki koizumi (associate professor, university of tokyo), yuri naruse (assistant lectuer, university of tokyo), jun inokuma (assistant lecturer, tokyo metropolitan university), chikako goto (director, UDCK), megumi arei (naruse inokuma architects), ryoichi nitani, yuki matsuda, toru omiya, dan matoba (graduate school of tokyo university), kazuya fujii, hiroko hukusima (tokyo metropolitan university), hiroshi ouchi / tetsushi sakurai

special support: sadao tuchiya (house vision)

supporting company: sumitomo forestry co., ltd., asahi kasei construction materials corporation, koshii & co., ltd., daikin industries, ltd., daikin HVAC solution tohoku co., ltd., tanaka co., ltd., tanita housingware co., ltd., yoshioka co., ltd., YKK ap inc., wise-wise inc., tokyo blinds co., ltd.