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