Hiroshi Nakamura & Nap

Kamikatsu Zero Waste Center

Kamikatsu Zero Waste Center 

Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP

Kamikatsu Zero Waste Center
© Koji Fujii / TOREAL

STRUCTURE DESIGN
Yamada Noriaki Structural Design Office

MAIN CONTRACTOR
Kitajima Corporation

NAP DESIGN TEAM
Hiroshi Nakamura, Masaki Hirakawa, Masaya Matsushita [former Staff]

ARCHITECTURE OFFICE
Hiroshi Nakamura & Nap

FURNITURE DESIGN AND PRODUCTION
Wrap Architect Office

BRANDING, CREATIVE PRODUCTION AND EXPERIENCE DESIGN
Transit General Office

AREA
5557 M²

LOCATION
Kamikatsu, Japan

YEAR
2020

CATEGORY
Mixed Use Architecture, Public Architecture, Community Center

Kamikatsu Zero Waste Center
© Koji Fujii / TOREAL

The town of Kamikatsu in Tokushima Prefecture aims to become a sustainable recycling community and has pledged to produce zero waste.

Its recycling rate has already reached 80% by sorting trash into 45 categories, with used items displayed like a store at the recycling center.

Kamikatsu Zero Waste Center
© Koji Fujii / TOREAL
Kamikatsu Zero Waste Center
© Koji Fujii / TOREAL

As mass-production, mass-consumption society shows signs of an impasse, there are high anticipations both at home and abroad for this movement.

The project consists of a plan for the core facility of this town, with multiple functions including a trash sorting/collection station and recycling center, as well as a center that promotes and teaches about the zero-waste movement.

Kamikatsu Zero Waste Center
© Koji Fujii / TOREAL
Kamikatsu Zero Waste Center
© Koji Fujii / TOREAL

We conceived architecture that will not produce waste, could be sorted, and could eventually be downsized.

Our first step was to use cedar wood that could be harvested locally to recycle forestry resources while minimizing the carbon footprint.

Kamikatsu Zero Waste Center
© Koji Fujii / TOREAL
Kamikatsu Zero Waste Center
© Koji Fujii / TOREAL

We decided to use logs in their original form because rotary-cut cedar would produce wood waste. 

Considering that the declining population and technological advances will eventually reduce trash volume, we repeated the cross-section of the timber-framed structure so it could be easily downsized.

Kamikatsu Zero Waste Center
© Koji Fujii / TOREAL
Kamikatsu Zero Waste Center
© Koji Fujii / TOREAL
Kamikatsu Zero Waste Center
© Koji Fujii / TOREAL

The finish is conspicuous, with bolts used for the joints so that local contractors can handle construction/maintenance, and sorting is simplified when demolished.

We viewed discarded fittings and farming tools etc. as resources, recycling them as the exterior and fixtures of the building. We also used glass bottle cullets as terrazzo aggregate.

Kamikatsu Zero Waste Center
© Koji Fujii / TOREAL
Kamikatsu Zero Waste Center
© Koji Fujii / TOREAL
Kamikatsu Zero Waste Center
© Koji Fujii / TOREAL

At the recycling center with a wall covered with stacked bureaus, a grandmother may point to her former bridal chest of drawers and share family history with her grandchild.

By visualizing and making maximum use of Kamikatsu’s resources and not considering them to be “waste,” we begin to value things and become aware of the richness of the local lifestyle.

Kamikatsu Zero Waste Center
© Koji Fujii / TOREAL
Kamikatsu Zero Waste Center
© Koji Fujii / TOREAL

The identity of the town is embodied in this architecture so that town residents can hold pride in their way of living.

Kamikatsu Zero Waste Center
© Koji Fujii / TOREAL
Kamikatsu Zero Waste Center
© Koji Fujii / TOREAL


Kamikatsu Zero Waste Center
© Koji Fujii / TOREAL
Kamikatsu Zero Waste Center
© Koji Fujii / TOREAL
Kamikatsu Zero Waste Center
© Koji Fujii / TOREAL
Kamikatsu Zero Waste Center
© Koji Fujii / TOREAL
Kamikatsu Zero Waste Center
© Koji Fujii / TOREAL
Kamikatsu Zero Waste Center
© Koji Fujii / TOREAL
Kamikatsu Zero Waste Center
© Koji Fujii / TOREAL


Kamikatsu Zero Waste Center
© Koji Fujii / TOREAL
Kamikatsu Zero Waste Center
© Koji Fujii / TOREAL
Kamikatsu Zero Waste Center
© Koji Fujii / TOREAL


Kamikatsu Zero Waste Center
Cross Sections


Kamikatsu Zero Waste Center
Plan


Kamikatsu Zero Waste Center
Sectional Perspective
Kamikatsu Zero Waste Center
Section - Site
Kamikatsu Zero Waste Center
Structural Illustrations

Hiroshi Nakamura & Nap
T +81 3 64477702 F +81 3 64477798
Hiroshi Nakamura & Nap
108-0072 5-6-18 Shirokane, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, Japan