TA+A & Wakuda Kosuke Architects & Sanai Architects have completed a multi-functional building containing a program of Canoe storage, café and information center in Tosa-cho, Kochi prefecture of Japan.

Named Sameura Canoe Terrace, the 412-square-metre building features a large roof that awakens the resources that sleep in the area. 

"Most of the mountainous areas are mountains (sloping lands). A river flows between the mountains, and a settlement is formed on a small flat land between the river and the mountains," said TA+A. 

The architects have slightly modified the natural environment to acquire a new living environment that is one with nature. 

Lake Sameura, which symbolizes the Reihoku region, is like a water bottle that supports the lives of the Shikoku region, and the natural topography and dams are mixed together to form a magnificent lake surface environment.

"Rice terraces in Aikawa, which are also one of the fascinating landscapes of the region, have been modified by people on the natural slopes to create a splendid paddy field landscape in the steps," the architects added. 

"It can be said that the lives of the open people are integrated into the existing landscape of the Reihoku region, forming a new living environment. That is the charm of the mountainous area."

The former Sameura-so, which played the role of a youth house, was relocated to the adjacent land, and the architecture was inserted so as to weave them into the deformed terrain and the micro-topography such as exposed steps and retaining walls. 

The team wanted to create a variety of places in a mixture of existing environment and architecture, rather than architecture cutting out the environment. 

They designed a building that has a large floating roof that fits in with the surrounding mountains, the entire site, both inside and outside, functions as a facility that contributes to leisure and tourism as well as promoting competitive canoeing.

In the interior, the team kept the central space open to give a view of the lake surface which will serve as a guide base for outdoor activities, agriculture, and nature experiences in Tosa-cho town, and will be a place to accept flexible utilization. 

At the same time, the large space under the eaves that protrudes creates various intermediate areas that contribute to those breaks and communication. 

"We hope that facility operators and users will make full use of this place and lead to the promotion of competitive canoeing and the further development of sports tourism that the town is aiming for," added the team. 

Project facts

Project Name: Sameura Canoe Terrace

Architectural design: KEI IHARA, WAKUDA KOSUKE / TA+A + Wakuda Kosuke Architects ＋Sanai Architects

Structural design: Yasushi Moribe / yAt Structural Design Office

MEP Design: Kozo Saji , Kiyomitsu Hosogai , Ikuno Suzuki / Tetence Office

Textile design: Yoko Ando / Yoko Ando design 

Function: Canoe storage, Café, Information center

Location: Tosa-cho, Kochi prefecture

Site Area: 482.69m2 

Floor Area: 412.0m2 

All images © Shigeo Ogawa

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