textured concrete facade envelops living facility center in japan by SAKO architects

textured concrete facade envelops living facility center in japan by SAKO architects

SAKO Architects unveils assisted living facility in japan

 

Architecture firm SAKO Architects presents MONOLITH, an assisted living facility, accompanied with a pavilion, located in Fukuoka, Japan. Its exposed concrete exterior shows the ability of the building to withstand earthquakes and other disasters. Custom formwork creates a textured, striped grid on the facade, which helps hide dirt and reduce maintenance. The use of fly ash concrete further strengthens the structure, preventing cracking over time.

 

Material choices inside complete the welcoming atmosphere, with wood used in handrails and handles, adding warmth often lacking in similar settings. The combination of texture and openings transforms the concrete forms of the main building and pavilion into inviting spaces that bring peace to residents and visitors alike. The interior palette of warm whites and browns contributes to a tranquil atmosphere, with wood finishes in the entrance hall echoing the striped pattern of the exterior, unifying the design. Principal architect at SAKO, Keiichiro Sako shares: ‘I believe I have successfully achieved my goal: creating an assisted living facility where I would feel comfortable entrusting my own parent.’

textured concrete facade envelops living facility center in japan by SAKO architects
all images by Tetsuya Yashiro, courtesy of SAKO Architects

 

 

MONOLITH ensures easy access with various means of transport

 

Within a six-minute walk from Kurume Station, the Chinese firm SAKO Architects ensures access from the facility to public transportation, medical services, and community connections. On the southern side of an L-shaped site, MONOLITH features a one-way traffic flow for easy vehicle access, with an eleven-by-six-meter canopy providing sheltered entry for residents and visitors. Open areas on the site offer ample parking and garden space that invites the surrounding community to interact with the landscape of the facility. 

 

The garden itself is an interactive landscape composed of 36 squares of varying sizes, from 1.6 to 4.6 meters on each side. Designed to engage the senses, these spaces incorporate decks, lawns, flower beds, benches, water features, and a cube-shaped pavilion where residents can experience the changing seasons. With carefully placed openings, the pavilion creates rhythmic shadows that animate the garden.

textured concrete facade envelops living facility center in japan by SAKO architects
SAKO Architects presents MONOLITH, an assisted living facility, accompanied with a pavilion

 

textured concrete facade envelops living facility center in japan by SAKO architects
openings transform the concrete forms of the main building and pavilion

textured concrete facade envelops living facility center in japan by SAKO architects
wood finishes in the entrance hall echo the striped pattern of the facade

textured-concrete-facade-living-facility-center-japan-sako-architects-designboom-1800-01

custom formwork creates a textured, striped grid on the facade

textured concrete facade envelops living facility center in japan by SAKO architects
warm whites and browns contributes to a tranquil atmosphere

textured concrete facade envelops living facility center in japan by SAKO architects
Keiichiro Sako wanted to create an assisted living facility where they would entrust their parent

textured concrete facade envelops living facility center in japan by SAKO architects
ensuring access from the facility to public transportation, medical services, and community connections

textured concrete facade envelops living facility center in japan by SAKO architects
open areas on the site offer ample parking and garden space

 

 

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within a six-minute walk from Kurume Station
within a six-minute walk from Kurume Station
the garden itself is an interactive landscape
the garden itself is an interactive landscape
a cube-shaped pavilion where residents can experience the changing seasons
a cube-shaped pavilion where residents can experience the changing seasons
wood is used in handrails and handles
wood is used in handrails and handles

project info:

 

name: MONOLITH in Fukuoka
architect: SAKO Architects | @keiichiro_sako
location: Fukuoka, Japan
area: 2,878 sqm

 

principal architect: Keiichiro Sako
interior design: SAKO Architects
landscape design: SAKO Architects
lighting design: BONBORI Lighting Architect & Associates, Inc. 
photographer: Tetsuya Yashiro

 

 

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: thomai tsimpou | designboom

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