setre marina hotel by ryuichi ashizawa plays sounds like an aeolian harp

setre marina hotel by ryuichi ashizawa plays sounds like an aeolian harp
all images courtesy of ryuichi ashizawa architect & associates

the ‘setre marina hotel’ located in moriyama city, shiga prefecture near lake biwa, is not only in the center of the community, but also its catalyst for creation. therefore, ryuichi ashizawa architect & associates have considered how future constructions and reconstructions could be performed in a way that connects people to this concept of natural life and style.

elevation

the transition area between the lake and the land is evident through a variety of changes caused by developments of the 20th century, where even the seawall has lost its original shape. in the terrain, endorheic basins left by the transformation of the water link the city from its ancient times to the present day. in response, the project applies the idea of an ecotone, a transition area between two biomes, towards the building. created through rainwater, two small inner ponds surge like site-specific biotopes in the east and west sides. this will help nurture the woodlands into a thriving forest, distinguishing the architecture as an object within the context.

the green roof top

folded plate-like slabs are supported by the oblique pillars aimed at hiding structural beams. these platforms are made green through their eaves occupied by shrubs as they extend outwards, resulting in a stepped gesture that controls solar radiation and manipulates the spatial experience. this is furthered by their evenly dispersed north-south arrangement that only changes in relation to the angle of the walls they enclose.

3F library

the use of reinforced concrete is accompanied by unfinished, industrialized materials and natural ingredients that have been locally made. this pays homage to methods, technologies, and traditions of past japan, while applying them to contemporary architecture. the partitions have been built using the primitive process of plastering. meanwhile, the outer wall of the north-south core is made by mixing mortar and soil. the aesthetic defines it as an adopted method of tsukeru, a japanese technique that applies roughed grain to mimic doroyama (wet mountain soul).

guest room with rammed earth

hotel accommodation in the 1F lobby

the chapel takes advantage of the wind coming from lake biwa. as strong forces make their way into the sacred grounds, the building becomes a stringed instrument in reference to an aeolian harp. in order to provide this effect, simulations and formal manipulations were performed. the result is a plywood frame structure of continuous curves with a 91mm pitch of 0.72mm SUS wire. this allows a karman vortex street to be generated, a repeated pattern of acoustic flow capable of changing its tone by opening and closing one end of the building.

looking towards the water from the chapel

‘by using plants in this project, we provide a lot of contact through soil, natural light, water, wind, trees; such as sound and smells, these elements specific to the region and incorporated in the architecture, can be perceived by the people that gather in the hotel aware them to the presence of the ecotone and the transition between building and nature.’ – ryuichi ashizawa

closeup of the string construction

view of the bridal lobby

ecotone section diagram

chapel diagram

axonometric drawing of the chapel structure

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.