sako architects: tohoku sky village

‘tohoku sky village’ by sako architects, tohoku, japan all images courtesy of sako architects

tokyo and beijing-based practice sako architects have conceived the ‘tohoku sky village’, a strategy for self-sustaining areas during natural disasters or emergency situations positioned within the region of tohoku, japan. the design offers a long-term solution for residents living on or near low-lying ground with difficulty in quickly reaching safety within the hills. an option for dwellers of flat farmlands or within the vicinity of fishing ports, the independent islands connect with the existing infrastructure, reducing overall construction costs. during times of need, the clusters operate as individual facilities, coexisting with the ocean.

the new mounded landscape is generated by utilizing the rubble which was generated during the recent great earthquake and placing residences, schools, recreational facilities, markets and other necessary buildings upon them.

aerial view of island with residential and public buildings

aerial view of residential island

approach to residential island before a disaster situation

alternative residential configuration

(clockwise from left to right) cluster of islands, airplane view of islands, recreational island

aerial view

site plan

(left) residential island program (right) central island diagram

(left) floor plan / level 0 residential island (right) floor plan / level 0 central island

(left) floor plan / level 1 residential island (right) floor plan / level 3 central island

(left) roof plan / residential island (right) roof plan / central island

(left) section / residential island (right) section / central island