Concrete fortress on the mountain. House in Mukainada by Kazunori Fujimoto
26/02/2021.
[Hiroshima] Japan
metalocus, MARÍA ONSINA
metalocus, MARÍA ONSINA
The project designed by Kazunori Fujimoto located in Hiroshima Bay, very close to the Mukainada railway station, in Japan, enjoys a privileged position on the land, a few meters from the sea.
The house, integrated into an isolated mountain and surrounded by the urban environment in constant development and evolution, is integrated into nature as a remarkable landmark from a distance.
The house, integrated into an isolated mountain and surrounded by the urban environment in constant development and evolution, is integrated into nature as a remarkable landmark from a distance.
House in Mukainada by Kazunori Fujimoto. Photograph by Kazunori Fujimoto
House in Mukainada by Kazunori Fujimoto. Photograph by Kazunori Fujimoto
House in Mukainada by Kazunori Fujimoto. Photograph by Kazunori Fujimoto
House in Mukainada by Kazunori Fujimoto. Photograph by Kazunori Fujimoto
House in Mukainada by Kazunori Fujimoto. Photograph by Kazunori Fujimoto
House in Mukainada by Kazunori Fujimoto. Photograph by Kazunori Fujimoto
House in Mukainada by Kazunori Fujimoto. Photograph by Kazunori Fujimoto
House in Mukainada by Kazunori Fujimoto. Photograph by Kazunori Fujimoto
House in Mukainada by Kazunori Fujimoto. Photograph by Kazunori Fujimoto
House in Mukainada by Kazunori Fujimoto. Photograph by Kazunori Fujimoto
House in Mukainada by Kazunori Fujimoto. Photograph by Kazunori Fujimoto
House in Mukainada by Kazunori Fujimoto. Photograph by Kazunori Fujimoto
House in Mukainada by Kazunori Fujimoto. Photograph by Kazunori Fujimoto
House in Mukainada by Kazunori Fujimoto. Photograph by Kazunori Fujimoto
House in Mukainada by Kazunori Fujimoto. Photograph by Kazunori Fujimoto
House in Mukainada by Kazunori Fujimoto. Photograph by Kazunori Fujimoto
House in Mukainada by Kazunori Fujimoto. Photograph by Kazunori Fujimoto
House in Mukainada by Kazunori Fujimoto. Photograph by Kazunori Fujimoto
House in Mukainada by Kazunori Fujimoto. Photograph by Kazunori Fujimoto
House in Mukainada by Kazunori Fujimoto. Photograph by Kazunori Fujimoto
Aerial photography. House in Mukainada by Kazunori Fujimoto
Site plan. House in Mukainada by Kazunori Fujimoto
Site plan, first floor, second floor and section. House in Mukainada by Kazunori Fujimoto
First floor. House in Mukainada by Kazunori Fujimoto
Second floor. House in Mukainada by Kazunori Fujimoto
Section. House in Mukainada by Kazunori Fujimoto
The main idea of the architect Kazunori Fujimoto was to propose the construction as an independent fortification to the building typologies of the area, linked only to the land and the vegetation that characterizes it.
The concrete amplifies this metaphor of the fort surrounded by nature: the massive architecture thought and created by man, in contrast to the natural environment, alien to human intervention.
The concrete amplifies this metaphor of the fort surrounded by nature: the massive architecture thought and created by man, in contrast to the natural environment, alien to human intervention.
Description of project by Kazunori Fujimoto
House in Mukainada is located on the top of a former cape, which has a 20 meters height difference from the sea level and overlooks Hiroshima Bay.
In the past, the coastline reached the foot of this cape. But after the reclamation of the land that started 40 years ago, the surrounding landscape has begun to change its appearance. The mountain behind was developed as a new residential area, but only this site remains as it used to be.
A fort-shaped house adapted to the cape's topography is the idea behind the project. The thick walls provide a sense of security in the interior space against the possibility of natural disasters. Still, at the same time, the sense of spaciousness is provided by the wide rooftop area and from generous proportions of interior spaces.
Moreover, the materiality and the sense of presence typical of the fortresses' architecture, when inserted into nature, lead it to change the surrounding landscape and elevate it to a new sense of beauty.
As an architect, I intended to create a living environment that could be perceived its Genius Loci without being influenced by new residential areas' spatial characteristics. The slanted wall is 1.3 meters thick at the bottom. I wanted to make this wall with a non-reinforced concrete structure, like a gravity-type retaining wall, to give rationality to the shape and structure.
The fort was used as a metaphor, but the purpose was not the shape of the fort itself. The possibilities of architecture will expand by bringing the potential of ruins and civil engineering structures into architecture. New landscapes and living environments, interwoven with such architecture and nature, are derived from the cape's topography.
More information
Architects
Collaborators
Structural engineer.- Eiken Structural Consultants, Eiichi Tsumura.
Builder
Area
Site area.- 2,046.18 sqm. Building area.- 93.51 sqm. Total floor area.- 152.02 sqm.
Dates
Project Planning.- 2018-2020. Construction term.- 2020.
Location
Hiroshima, Japan.
Photography
Kazunori Fujimoto. Kazunori Fujimoto Architects
Kazunori Fujimoto Architect & Associates. Kazunori Fujimoto is born in Yamaguchi, Japan, 1967. Graduated from Waseda University, 1991, worked at Tadao Ando Architect & Associates, and NASCA. In 1998 established Kazunori Fujimoto Architects.
Award/Selection: 2005, AIJ Selected Architectural Designs. 2006,5th Hiroshima Culture & Architecture Award. Nichijiren Architectural Award. 2007, AIJ Selected Architectural Designs, Shizuoka Culture & Architecture Award. 2008, 12th Electric Housing Architecture Award, 6th Hiroshima Culture & Architecture Award. 2012, AIJ Selected Architectural Designs, 7th Hiroshima Culture & Architecture Award
Last Exhibitions.- 2017, Hiroshima Architect 2017/ TOTO Hiroshima. 2018, Neo-Bingo Architect/ Fukuyama Municipal Libraly.
Award/Selection: 2005, AIJ Selected Architectural Designs. 2006,5th Hiroshima Culture & Architecture Award. Nichijiren Architectural Award. 2007, AIJ Selected Architectural Designs, Shizuoka Culture & Architecture Award. 2008, 12th Electric Housing Architecture Award, 6th Hiroshima Culture & Architecture Award. 2012, AIJ Selected Architectural Designs, 7th Hiroshima Culture & Architecture Award
Last Exhibitions.- 2017, Hiroshima Architect 2017/ TOTO Hiroshima. 2018, Neo-Bingo Architect/ Fukuyama Municipal Libraly.
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