NAAD seismic upgrade concealed behind oblique walls

NAAD residential seismic upgrade features oblique walls
image © stirling elmendorf
all images courtesy of NAAD

undulating walls shape the geometric interior of this two-storey wooden house renovation by japanese architecture firm NAAD. located in the town center of matsusaka, japan, it contains a cafe on its ground floor and a residential area on the first floor. the long and narrow form needed to be seismically upgraded due to its poor structural performance. the challenge was to enhance the building’s earthquake safety by constructing load-bearing walls, while at the same time intensifying the linearity and flow throughout the interior. the new structural elements were concealed behind oblique partitions. hidden away in residual pockets are also the storage areas, components which normally break up a room are tucked away from view, allowing for a continuous and uninterrupted living space.

the long and narrow form needed to be seismically upgraded due to its poor structural performance
image © stirling elmendorf

the new structure is concealed behind oblique walls
image © stirling elmendorf

storage spaces are hidden away in residual pockets
image © stirling elmendorf

the design creates a free-flowing interior
image © stirling elmendorf

outside view of the long, narrow building in the town center of matsusaka, japan
image © stirling elmendorf

plan

load-bearing walls are shown in red

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