warm timber finishes and a soaring attic space are just two of the features of this japanese beach house by architect ryosuke ono. occupying a beachfront site in a village in the southern part of amami oshima island, the two story villa is designed to consider the surrounding landscape and to harmonize with the island’s traditional architecture.

‘we aimed for an architecture that goes beyond mere nostalgia and whispers to the genes of the island,’ says ono.

the villa exterior is articulated by a large pyramid hip roof and generous eaves, which provide shade from the hot sun. there’s also a grey fence made from unpainted cedar boards and concrete pillars that surrounds the site.

exposed wood dominates the interiors to create a unified yet cozy family space. the first floor contains the kitchen and dining space, which features concrete flooring for ‘rough living and usage, such as playing in the sea and carrying sand attached to your body, or bringing in caught fish. it is a space for living,’ explains the architect. the first floor also hosts a living space and bedroom accommodation.

upstairs, under the roof, is a huge attic space with a balcony looking out towards the sea. this space is designed as a place for leisure, where the children run around, or where the family can gather and just listen to the sound of lapping waves without doing anything.

the house is surrounded by an unpainted cedar fence

the square roof shape was chosen for both stability thanks to the truss structure and wind pressure resistance by reducing the found area. ‘there are many islanders who feel nostalgic for the proportions created by this spatial composition’, continues ono.

the top is equipped with mechanical ventilation equipment for heat exhaust and decorative wooden screens to improve the indoor environment. in addition, the floor behind the hut is slatted, and by drawing in the natural wind and the light from the top light to the first floor, the entire space becomes a comfortable environment.

the villa, which goes uninhabited for long periods, is designed to be both closed for security. paradoxically, ono has also tried to create a residence that blends into village life and the surrounding beach landscape. 

exposed wood dominates the interior

the upper level is a space to gather and relax

location: setouchi-cho, oshima-gun, kagoshima, japan

architecture: ryosuke ono architectural design office construction management: minoru aoi / aoi home structural design: enshukan / enshu structural design landscaping design: tomohiro urata / urata garden design office sky window decoration: junichi tozono / koshira eru

structure / scale: timber / two story site area: 218.50 sqm building area: 73.71 sqm total floor area area: 104.34 sqm

completion: october 2020 photography: toshihisa ishii

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