A strangely shaped building has suddenly appeared in the middle of the countryside among the rice fields. It has a completely different appearance from a traditional thatched-roof building, reflecting the shape of the two plain telephone poles, while also having a strong presence in the middle of the landscape along a curved street. It has become a symbol in the community as a stop for the bus service that runs through the Uchikawa district, and is loved by locals as a place where they can relax.

We developed a plan and design following a request from the incorporated non-profit organization Ishikawa Prefecture Thatched-Culture Study Group. Thatching work was conducted by Taizo Nomura, the only thatcher currently working in Ishikawa prefecture. We came up with a versatile method that can be used with various forms while still maintain a link with the location. The construction features equal amounts of wood and bamboo structure that serve to complement each other. A long, large space was created by repeating this combination in tandem with the creation of various polyhedrons. We used only natural materials including timber, bamboo, thatch, and rope, with the exception of the metal used to fix the wood. The timber, bamboo, and thatch were of course locally sourced. While the modern form and structure were retained, the thatcher’s sense was added to the detailed finish, giving it the look of something from another world that has come to transport you away. Local people and students took part in a workshop through which we were able to inherit the traditional culture and they could build a lasting attachment to it.