Itsuki Matsumoto

Himitsujanai Kichi

Himitsujanai Kichi
© Shuhei Miyahata [Setouchi Editorial Institute]

HIMITSUJANAI KICHI

Itsuki Matsumoto (Aichi Institute of Technology Graduate School) + Ehime Architecture and Design Office

DESIGN TEAM
Itsuki Matsumoto (Aichi Institute of Technology Graduate School)

ENGINEERING
Iyo Takumi no Kai, Susumu Ito, Ito construction firm

CONSTRUCTION DESIGN
Ehime Architecture and design Office, Takao Shiraishi

MANUFACTURERS
Graphisoft, Rhinoceros, Trimble Navigation

STRUCTURAL DESIGN
Fujio and Associates, Atsushi Fujio

ARCHITECT IN CHARGE
Itsuki Matsumoto

CLIENT
Dogo Art Executive

AREA
48 m²

YEAR
2020

LOCATION
Matsuyama, Japan

CATEGORY
Tourism, Cultural Architecture

Text description provided by architect.

This is a project for which a 23-year old graduate student did the preliminary design and design development.

Himitsujanai Kichi
© Shuhei Miyahata [Setouchi Editorial Institute]
Himitsujanai Kichi
© Shuhei Miyahata [Setouchi Editorial Institute]

It is a work of collaboration created with local young architects and artisans. Matsuyama in Ehime Prefecture is a city known for Dogo Onsen.

The area enjoys a mild climate thanks to the Seto Inland Sea, and with hot springs as a tourist resource, it is ranked as one of the most popular sightseeing destinations in Japan.

Himitsujanai Kichi
© Hiroaki Zenke
Himitsujanai Kichi
© Shuhei Miyahata [Setouchi Editorial Institute]

Since 2014, art events have been held as part of the town revitalization strategy, and this facility was built for the 2019/ 2020 edition of the art project to provide a base for those activities.

It is a small-scale, public architecture also used as a community hub. The project site is located at the end of a gentle slope, facing a historic temple.

There are also a number of traditional temples and shrines in the area.

Himitsujanai Kichi
© Shuhei Miyahata [Setouchi Editorial Institute]
Himitsujanai Kichi
© Shuhei Miyahata [Setouchi Editorial Institute]
Himitsujanai Kichi
© Shuhei Miyahata [Setouchi Editorial Institute]

While inheriting their essence in a contemporary manner, the project is designed to be site-specific, appropriate as a base for artistic activities.

The roof, undulating in harmony with the surrounding natural environment, uses the elegantly curved roof of shrines and temples as a metaphor.

Himitsujanai Kichi
© Shuhei Miyahata [Setouchi Editorial Institute]
Himitsujanai Kichi
© Shuhei Miyahata [Setouchi Editorial Institute]

The form of the roof is defined by the context of the site. Its outline follows the edge of the gentle slope, and the open frontage, when looked from down the slope, provides a sequential experience with the temple.

When seen from the top of the slope, the conical form mimics the surrounding mountains, completing the landscape as a foreground. Thus, the curved lines are drawn not only by my intention but also in accordance with the history and the landscape.

Himitsujanai Kichi
© Shuhei Miyahata [Setouchi Editorial Institute]
Himitsujanai Kichi
© Shuhei Miyahata [Setouchi Editorial Institute]

A line drawn in such a way can be beautiful. What brings them together as architecture is the structural system centered around the main column. The column is decentered on a circular plan with a diameter of 7,800 mm.

The climbing beams, which rest on the peripheral columns of different heights, meet at the main column to form the three-dimensional surface of the timber roof floating in the air.

Himitsujanai Kichi
© Shuhei Miyahata [Setouchi Editorial Institute]
Himitsujanai Kichi
© Shuhei Miyahata [Setouchi Editorial Institute]

The deviated center generates a mountain-shaped design with deep eaves and maximizes the space for activities as doma (earthen floor)/ gallery while downsizing the semicircular interior space.

When seen from inside, the undulating eaves gently frame the surrounding landscape, opening up the space of less than 20 tsubo (approx. 66 sq. m). By creating an open space integrated with the existing environment, the art/ community hub is designed as a place where everyone feels invited.

Himitsujanai Kichi
© Shuhei Miyahata [Setouchi Editorial Institute]


Himitsujanai Kichi
© Shuhei Miyahata [Setouchi Editorial Institute]
Himitsujanai Kichi
© Shuhei Miyahata [Setouchi Editorial Institute]


Himitsujanai Kichi
Elevation
Himitsujanai Kichi
Long Elevation
Himitsujanai Kichi
Section
Himitsujanai Kichi
Long Section


Himitsujanai Kichi
Plan
Himitsujanai Kichi
Isometric View


Himitsujanai Kichi
Exploded View
Himitsujanai Kichi
Model

Itsuki Matsumoto
Itsuki Matsumoto
Matsuyama, Dōgoyunomachi, 5-6 Dogo Onsen Main Building 790-0842 Ehime,, Japan