{"id":12224,"date":"2017-12-08T09:57:58","date_gmt":"2017-12-08T00:57:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.tekuto.com\/?page_id=12224"},"modified":"2021-08-02T14:27:19","modified_gmt":"2021-08-02T05:27:19","slug":"den-paku","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.tekuto.com\/en\/story\/den-paku","title":{"rendered":"\u4f1d\u6cca"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/h2>\n

Social Background<\/h2>\n

Today, the numbers of abandoned vacant houses are increasing all over Japan, causing major social concern. Unoccupied houses deteriorate rapidly and degrade the image and value of the area. It is also crucial for crime and disaster prevention, since abandoned houses can induce criminal activity more often than well-kept properties, and collapse in case of an earthquake and block evacuation routes.<\/p>\n

Yamashita gave seminars on traditional houses in Keio University starting from 2005 and since then, Tekuto has sought for ways to utilize those houses as regional resources, which would otherwise become unfavorable legacies if not taken care of.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00a0\"\"<\/h2>\n

Tekuto Renovation Project<\/h2>\n

Ethiopia Millennium Pavillion (2009)<\/strong><\/p>\n

To commemorate the Ethiopian Millennium, the Embassy of Japan in Ethiopia asked us to create a pavilion that symbolizes our cultural exchanges. We started our design by focusing on both country\u2019s traditional houses.<\/p>\n

Ethiopian circular houses are consisted of simple stone walls and wooden roofs with tied joints. Traditional Japanese houses were built meticulously with wood, without using metal parts. We brought over an old Japanese house to Ethiopia and reassembled it side by side with an Ethiopian house. By reconstructing our traditional values, we believe the two cultures were able to come face to face at this pavilion.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"\"\"<\/h2>\n

Tekuto Renovation Project (Japan)<\/h2>\n

YA-CHI-YO (2009)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Meanwhile in Japan, TEKUTO began working on traditional residential buildings. In Shimane Prefecture, we dismantled the main structure of two traditional storehouses dating back to the Taisho Era (1912-26), that were about to be demolished. The parts were then brought to Hayama, in Kanagawa Prefecture, and reassembled on site. Wooden boards salvaged from the storehouses and 80-year-old bricks from Shanghai were reused for doors, window frames, and floors. Various materials from other regions, even from another country, old and new, were brought together and restructured in this new building.
\nBy reconstructing an old house, the texture and the mood of traditional Japanese houses were revived in this modern house. An unprecedented sense of time and space came to birth.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

DenPaku<\/h2>\n

Also in Amami, TEKUTO\u2019s CEO architect Yasuhiro Yamashita\u2019s natal island, many houses built with traditional construction methods were seen abandoned here and there.
\nYamashita asked himself, \u201cIsn\u2019t there a way to conserve traditional buildings unique to Amami, and let them be actually used by many people? Not mere preservation, but more useful and fruitful conservation and inheritance program for architecture is needed.\u201d
\nYamashita chose several traditional, legendary houses and launched a system to renovate and reincarnate them as lodging facilities. It was named \u201cDenPaku;\u201d den meaning traditional and legendary; paku meaning to stay, to lodge.
\nWe aim to use the facilities not only for accommodation but also as community spaces and invigorate the local society.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

7 Key Elements of Amamian Traditional Architecture<\/h2>\n

These are the key characteristics of Amamian traditional architecture. Most of the DenPaku inns have more than one of these features.<\/p>\n

1.Coral Stone windbreak walls<\/strong><\/p>\n

To be surrounded by coral stones, hedge, windbreak forest or block fence as countermeasures against typhoons.<\/p>\n

The fence around site is capable of protecting you against 40-60 m\/s winds. In the old days materials like coral stone, hedge, windbreak forest were widely used but nowadays low-cost concrete block fence are more common.<\/p>\n

\uff12.Dispersed site planning<\/strong><\/p>\n

The main building, kitchen, cattle house, shed and lavatory are dispersed in 3-5 buildings within the site. Some houses are in the style of the distinctive Amami \u201cTakakura\u201d(raised floor shed). Also there is always a well placed within the site.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/h2>\n

7 Key Elements of Amamian Traditional Architecture<\/h2>\n

\uff13.A one-story hip gable or \u201cIrimoya\u201d roof
\n<\/strong>
\nBecause of strong winds and building technology not well developed, most of the buildings are one story. Derived from \u201cTakakura\u201d roof style, the \u201cIrimoya\u201d or the hip-and-gable roof are most common.<\/p>\n

\uff14.Raised floor
\n<\/strong>
\nThe raised floor structure, So distinctive of Southeast Asia, is widely adopted. The floor is raised 60-90 centimeters. The two main reasons for which are protection from moisture and pass through in times of typhoon\u2019s letting strong winds to protect the building from collapsing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

7 Key Elements of Amamian Traditional Architecture<\/h2>\n

\uff15.The \u201cHikimon\u201d structure
\n<\/strong>
\nUnder the influence of Southeast Asian architecture, Amamian architecture\u2019s one characteristic is the \u201cHikimon\u201d structure where columns are placed on a foundation stone passing through floor joists, continuing until hitting the ceiling joists. You can see how our ancestors developed a structural style strengthning the base, as well as countermeasuring against typhoon.<\/p>\n

\uff16.Unique floor planning
\n<\/strong>
\nMain building\u2019s central room is surrounded by a corridor which is also functions as the entrance hall. In recent years the toilet is placed at the end of the corridor. Typically near the entrance there is a traditional kitchen with an earthen floor that also was used as a workshop. In most cases the floor has been covered and the traditional earthen floor kitchen is rearranged to be a contemporary kitchen and dinning space.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

7 Key Elements of Amamian traditional architecture<\/h2>\n

\uff17.Materials of Amami<\/strong><\/p>\n

In spite of Aami\u2019s abundance in nature, there is a lack of proper wood material for architecture. As a result, a lot of partially twisted or bent materials are used for structure. Also, material strong against termites are used. Thatched roofs were the tradition but recently more and more roofs have been renewed with zinc plated metal sheet roofing. To compensate for the lack of insulation the attic space is generally ventilated. Some gardens are paved with coral stones and sea sand for spiritual purification.
\nExperience Amami tradition while staying at our DenPaku lodging.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Den-Paku Amami
\n\/ DenPaku Sunset Harbour and DenPaku Private Beach<\/h2>\n

DenPaku Sunset Harbour and DenPaku Private Beach<\/p>\n

DenPaku Amami are vacation-rental style tourist accommodations, where guests can stay at traditional Amamian houses, built more than 50 years ago, all by themselves. In the spacious houses, there are rooms such as \u201cTabe -Dokoro (dining space)\u201d, \u201cNe-Dokoro (sleeping space)\u201d, \u201cNomi-Dokoro (drinking space).\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Guests can enjoy the carefree life in the village, reading to their heart\u2019s content in the wifi-equipped \u201cYomi-Dokoro (reading space),\u201d or going for a stroll on the beach located within walking distance. These tranquil moments at Den-Paku Amami will surely be memorized as a haven from the hustle and bustle of the daily life.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Collaboration<\/h2>\n

Integrating Materials and Culture of Amami<\/p>\n

For the renovation of DenPaku lodging facilities, we used wood materials indigenous to Amami and developed ways to apply the traditional mud-dyeing method of Oshima Tsumugi (traditional silk kimono fabric of Amami) to architectural materials. We also installed some furniture created by an Amamian furniture manufacturer.
\nOur concierge fully knowledgeable of the local culture, nature, cuisine, and sightseeing spots will help and advise the guests. We also collaborate with local farmers and food producers to provide locally sourced meal and appetizer assortments.
\nDenPaku also provides immersive travel programs such as local village dance experience, traditional hand weaving and dyeing lessons, so that the guests can truly interact with the local people and learn their culture.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Future Plan<\/h2>\n

Den-paku, born in Amami Oshima, expanded to nearby islands such as Kakeromajima and Tokunoshima. As of 2019, there are 18 facilities in total.<\/p>\n

We are aiming to spread nationwide, renovating and reusing abandoned things, in this case vacant houses, making full use of locally sourced materials and recreate them into tourist accommodations. They would serve not only as lodging facilities but also be open to the locals as community centers and after school childcare centers. It is our effort to invigorate local societies respecting their history, tradition, and custom. Currently, two DenPaku facilities are under construction in Komatsu City, near Kanazawa.<\/p>\n

Designing systems to revitalize local communities through architecture. That is the core philosophy of Atelier Tekuto\u2019s Den-Paku.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Social Background Today, the numbers of abandoned vacant houses are increasing all over Japan, causing major social concern. Unoccupied houses…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":11769,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"temp-storypage.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"_locale":"en_US","_original_post":"11682","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-12224","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","en-US"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t