kengo kuma + associates: center for the elderly in rikuzentakata all images courtesy of kuma lab

a year after the tsunami destroyed the city of rikuzentakata, japan, an emerging collaborative project by tokyo-based practice kengo kuma + associates, kuma lab at the university of tokyo, italians for tohoku volunteer association, the embassy of italy in japan and the town of sant’egidio will offer the elderly of the city a new community center. the shell is conceptually derived from the lotus leaf, an organism which floats on the surface of water symbolizing the delicate relationship between life and nature. paving a path to design architecture with its surroundings, the structure is set upon a forested mound and is formed with local wood from kasennuma, another area affected by the disaster. local carpenters will construct the 220 square meter building.

the project will offer a public space with social and cultural value for residents, attempting to restore faith between humans and their natural environment. the physical and spiritual reconstruction is intended to energize the individuals and encourage them to find joy.

kengo kuma + associates: center for the elderly in rikuzentakata aerial view of structure

kengo kuma + associates: center for the elderly in rikuzentakata site plan

kengo kuma + associates: center for the elderly in rikuzentakata floor plan / level 1

kengo kuma + associates: center for the elderly in rikuzentakata section

kengo kuma + associates: center for the elderly in rikuzentakata site section

kengo kuma + associates: center for the elderly in rikuzentakata lotus leaf

project info:

location: rikuzentakata, iwate principal use: public facility site area: 1000 m2 total floor area: 220 m2 number of stories: 1 structure: timber frame concept and project by: kengo kuma and associates: jun shibata, kazuyo nishida, hiroaki saito university of tokyo, kengo kuma lab: matteo belfiore, salvator-john a. liotta organization: comunità sant’egidio, italians for tohoku endorsed by: the embassy of italy in japan, structural engineer: jun sato