House for Matsuyama Tomo-no-Kai

House for Matsuyama Tomo-no-Kai

Ogawa Nishikori Architects

House for Matsuyama Tomo-no-Kai
© Nao Takahashi

CONTRACTOR
Trial – Yoshinaka Hayakawa, Ikuji Yano

CLIENT
Matsuyama Tomo-no-kai, The Matsuyama Chapter Of The Fujin-no-tomo Fellowship

LEAD ARCHITECTS
Hiroki Ohawa, Maya Nishikori

ENGINEERING & CONSULTING > LIGHTING
Daiko - Kimie Furusawa

ASSOCIATED ARCHITECT
Oda Kazuhiro Architecture Office – Kazuhiro Oda

ENGINEERING & CONSULTING > STRUCTURAL
Kuroiwa Structural Engineers Co., Ltd. - Yuki Kuroiwa

ENGINEERING & CONSULTING > MEP
Hasegawa Engineering Consultants - Hiroshi Hasegawa

PHOTOGRAPHS
Nao Takahashi

AREA
210 M²

YEAR
2022

LOCATION
Japan

CATEGORY
Houses, Community Center

House for Matsuyama Tomo-no-Kai
© Nao Takahashi

Text description provided by architect.

This project involves the reconstruction of a community-based facility designed to share knowledge about household affairs and children's education.

Located in the suburbs of Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, the new building accommodates a broad range of users, from infants to seniors, fostering a space for diverse activities aimed at improving family life.

House for Matsuyama Tomo-no-Kai
© Nao Takahashi
House for Matsuyama Tomo-no-Kai
© Nao Takahashi

A large gabled roof defines the building's presence, giving it the familiar appearance of a "big house." Beneath this unifying form, spaces are arranged around a central lobby, ensuring seamless movement and flexible use.

The layout supports both intimate gatherings and larger events, fostering a sense of community while maintaining a human-scaled atmosphere.

House for Matsuyama Tomo-no-Kai
© Nao Takahashi
House for Matsuyama Tomo-no-Kai
© Nao Takahashi

The roof incorporates high-side windows by lifting parts of the gable structure, introducing natural light and enhancing ventilation.

Positioned in response to prevailing wind patterns, these openings allow gentle airflow while casting shifting patterns of light throughout the day.

House for Matsuyama Tomo-no-Kai
© Nao Takahashi
House for Matsuyama Tomo-no-Kai
© Nao Takahashi

Deep eaves extend to the south and west, forming semi-sheltered outdoor spaces that blur the boundary between inside and outside.

These spaces function both as open extensions of the interior and as more enclosed, comfortably scaled areas that encourage interaction.

House for Matsuyama Tomo-no-Kai
© Nao Takahashi
House for Matsuyama Tomo-no-Kai
© Nao Takahashi

The structural system features a dense beam layout with knee braces, minimizing the need for long-span timber and allowing the use of standard materials.

This rhythmic framework subtly defines spatial units beneath the overarching roof, visually breaking down its scale while maintaining a cohesive whole. The repetition of beams and braces creates a dynamic interplay of light and shadow, altering perceptions of space depending on the viewing angle.

House for Matsuyama Tomo-no-Kai
© Nao Takahashi
House for Matsuyama Tomo-no-Kai
© Nao Takahashi

By balancing clear structural logic with spatial richness, the design creates an adaptable, engaging environment that supports everyday activities and fosters connections among users.


House for Matsuyama Tomo-no-Kai
© Nao Takahashi
House for Matsuyama Tomo-no-Kai
© Nao Takahashi
House for Matsuyama Tomo-no-Kai
© Nao Takahashi
House for Matsuyama Tomo-no-Kai
© Nao Takahashi


House for Matsuyama Tomo-no-Kai
© Nao Takahashi
House for Matsuyama Tomo-no-Kai
© Nao Takahashi
House for Matsuyama Tomo-no-Kai
© Nao Takahashi


House for Matsuyama Tomo-no-Kai
Floor Plan
House for Matsuyama Tomo-no-Kai
Section