tatsuya kawamoto tops ‘hazamacho house’ with a hyperbolic paraboloid in rural japan

an agricultural retreat in aichi

In the urbanization control area of Aichi, Japan, rather than imposing strict prohibitions on building construction, Tatsuya Kawamoto + Associates designs its Hazamacho House to support local farmers while curbing disorderly urbanization. The Hazamacho House stands as a testament to this philosophy, serving as a one-story home for rural farmers in the region. Situated amidst picturesque natural surroundings with mountains and a river, the timber dwelling is enveloped by vast agricultural land, devoid of any significant structures nearby. City regulations mandated a low building rate, yet the client expressed a desire for a compact home. To reconcile these factors within a limited budget, the architects proposed a solution aimed at avoiding urbanization while maximizing construction area.

images © Takashi Uemura

the sculptural roof by tatsuya kawamoto

The architects at Tatsuya Kawamoto + Associates enclose the Hazamacho House with a sprawling roof that extends broadly in all directions. The central area houses structurally essential walls, efficiently organizing them to facilitate agricultural activities and tool storage. Meanwhile, the outer periphery remains open and accessible to blend with the surrounding fields. This flexible design allows for diverse uses, from crop cultivation to recreational activities like reading, embodying the vision of the house evolving into a multifaceted agricultural hub. With this sculptural roof, the team draws inspiration from the surrounding mountains. The eaves are elevated on the eastern side to align with the natural landscape, and are lowered on the southern facade to mitigate solar heat during summer months. Employing straight wood beams, the team crafted the surface as a gentle hyperbolic paraboloid.

Hazamacho House introduces sustainable living for local farmers in rural Aichi

hazamacho house: adaptable architecture in japan

By integrating essential elements within the compact and flexible structure, Tatsuya Kawamoto + Associates’ Hazamacho House exemplifies agricultural architecture and communal living in Japan. The surrounding land is used for the cultivation of crops, with the eaves’ depth lending a gradual threshold between indoor and outdoor spaces. The space beneath the eaves doubles as a drying area for harvested crops, accessible to neighboring farmers. Over time, the house will slowly transform into an agricultural shed, thus embodying a sustainable approach to land use, safeguarding valuable farmland, and fostering community in the rural area.

a singular roof and flexible layout cater to diverse agricultural needs while minimizing urban sprawl
mimicking mountain ridges, the house features elevated eaves for natural cooling and design appeal
serving as both a workspace and living quarters, the home fosters community collaboration

essential elements are organized to optimize space and functionality for living and farming activities

1/5

project info:

project title: Hazamacho House

architecture: Tatsuya Kawamoto + Associates | @kawamo.to

location: Aichi, Japan

contractor: Hakoya Co. Ltd.
structural engineer: Enshu Structural Consultants
landscape: NISHIMURAKOGEI

area: 194 square meters

completion: November 2022

photography: © Takashi Uemura | @takashiuemura_photography