hisanori ban's ridged concrete house in japan is designed to withstand earthquakes

hisanori ban’s ridged concrete house in japan is designed to withstand earthquakes
all images by shigetomo mizuno

in the japanese city of nagoya, architect hisanori ban has completed a three storey dwelling ringed with concrete bands that help withstand earthquakes. the building is located within a quiet residential neighborhood, whose urban fabric has changed rapidly over the past few years. while many of japan’s reinforced concrete structures have been demolished prematurely as a result of inflexible design, ban sought to create a home that would stand the test of time.

the three storey dwelling is ringed with concrete bands

within the rigid outer shell, the dwelling’s flexible timber floorplates allow for potential modification over the coming decades. ceiling heights can be increased and individual wooden elements removed. internal programs are delineated with japanese shōji, establishing a series of connected yet secluded rooms. the concrete cladding also helps insulate areas of the house, ensuring an inherent thermal mass. the home was named ‘everlong’ as the client — an elderly woman — hoped that the structure would remain for many years after her eventual passing.

the building is located within a quiet residential neighborhood

hisanori ban’s previous work includes a reflective roadside café and a secret garden hidden behind concrete façades. see more projects by bandesign on designboom here.

the dwelling’s flexible timber floorplates allow for potential modification

ceiling heights can be increased and individual wooden elements removed

internal programs are delineated with japanese shōji screens

the concrete cladding also helps insulate areas of the house

a tatami area

living accommodation is kept relativity open-plan 

kitchen and dining area

the house is situated in the japanese city of nagoya

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project info:

name: everlong
location: nagoya city, aichi prefecture, japan
site area: 1,347.21 sqf / 125.16 sqm
area: 2,733.50 sqf / 253.95 sqm
structure: reinforced concrete + wood

architect: bandesign – hisanori ban, kazumoto terashima
structural engineer: IIJIMA structural design office – takao michikura
lighting designer: koizumi lighting technology – atsuko fujita
constructor: aizawa kensetsu,ltd.-yoshiharu tsuzuki
photography: shigetomo mizuno