Ashida Architect & Associates

Aiming for Architecture that Supports the Local Community

The office building that houses the headquarters in Ito has been present in this location for a long time. It needs to be more than just an office building; it should serve the local community, create vibrancy in everyday life for the people of the area, and also function as a refuge for the surrounding residents during emergencies or disasters. We aimed to create an open, community-centered building that would become a haven for the local residents.
In response to the powerful natural environment of Ito, we believed that a geometric form with strong symbolism was required. Furthermore, for this symbolism to harmonize with Ito’s natural surroundings, it had to be constructed using natural materials. To blend with the landscape of this site surrounded by mountains, we adopted a cubic shape made of Yakisugi (burndt cedar) for the upper part of the building. The base of the building is constructed with stones sourced from Ito’s own land.