matsuyama architect and associates clads 'olive tree' group home with façade of angled timber louvers

completed by matsuyama architect and associates, this group home in japan has been designed with a façade of vertical timber louvers that lets the building exist in harmony with the bamboo forest behind it. the project — titled ‘olive tree’ — is located in imari, a city in japan’s saga prefecture on the island of kyushu. the healthcare facility serves as a residence for people who have recently been discharged from psychiatric care.

all images by toshihisa ishii

as the site faced a busy road, matsuyama architect and associates wanted the new building to stand as symbol for the neighboring hospital as well as the city of imari. from the passing street, the timber structure appears as a large planter, with the trees behind appearing to grow out of the building’s roof. meanwhile, the angled louvers animate the façade and help protect the building from direct sunlight.

the ground floor contains a shared dining hall with a corridor leading to each resident’s individual room on the upper level. a shared lounge is also found on the first floor, with a void providing a visual connection with the ground floor below. the architects say that they designed the building so that residents can support themselves as much as possible during their stay. see other projects by matsuyama architect and associates on designboom here.

project info:

name: group home — olive tree
location: imari, saga, japan
architect: matsuyama architect and associates
type: clinic, hospital
status: complete