Japanese practice SANAA awarded the 2025 RIBA Royal Gold Medal for architecture
by Aarthi MohanFeb 06, 2025
•make your fridays matter with a well-read weekend
by Amarjeet Singh TomarPublished on : Apr 19, 2023
Tucked into the hill, Dokubo and El Amigo are the new additions to an already existing house—located on an island in the Seto Inland Sea—to accommodate a variety of people who frequently visit, including the owner’s family and friends. The hillside, shaped like a slope rising gently counterclockwise, accommodates the annexes. The new building blocks are separated from the existing one in order to avoid obstructing views of the Setouchi landscape. The roof of the new buildings aligns with the floor level of the main house’s dining room to not hinder the expansive views towards the sea.
The Tokyo-based architectural firm Schemata Architects, founded in 1998, is known for its minimalist, functional, and innovative approach towards design that often incorporates Japanese craftsmanship. With a focus on sustainability and longevity, one of the key objectives of the Japanese architecture firm is to create spaces that are adaptable and flexible. Schemata Architects believes that architecture should be able to evolve and respond to changing needs and uses over time. Their designs often integrate elements such as movable walls, sliding screens, and other features that can be easily reconfigured.
Jo Nagasaka, the name synonymous to the Tokyo-based practice, was commissioned by the owner to create a guesthouse for children that became Dokubo and an independent lounge and bar space for adults that became El Amigo.
The guesthouse ‘Dokubo’, translating to ‘solitary quarters’, is inspired from the image of shukubo (accommodations operated by temples and shrines) as a place for children to disconnect from the world and return to solitude. It sits in front of the main house’s dining room and its rooftop platform extends the existing house’s foreground. The guesthouse is accessed via a spiral staircase that appears to be going below the ground.
Descending down the staircase takes one to the hallway wrapped within exposed concrete retaining walls built into the slope. The hallway provides access to the five bedroom units, a shower and a toilet. The bedroom units are located within a light wood and steel structure, opening towards the sea views via large window openings. The intimate space within each unit opening up to the sea forms a contemplative experience. The windows can be operated with the touch of a button and swings up with a small steel wire pulley system mounted on the overhanging steel roof.
Further down the slope, ‘El Amigo’, the lounge and bar space is designed like a hole in the ground forming a bunker-like appearance. One enters the relaxed setting through a large gull-wing doorway. An island countertop sits at the centre of the bar design equipped with a sink and storage underneath. The roof and the countertop is composed of FRP (fibre reinforced plastic). It filters the natural light during the daytime, mimicking light passing through a shoji screen. Large openings afford panoramic views towards the sea and create a perfect setting for holding tea ceremonies in the ryurei (standing) style.
There is certainly an element of craft present in the design. The texture of the interior walls is attained by utilising rice straw and layering it within the interior formwork. Once the concrete dried and coagulated, the rise husk was disposed of, which left the characteristic stone-like texture of the walls. It celebrates the experience of numerous craftsmen involved during the project.
The experimental approach of the Japanese architects is clearly reflected in its novel design process. Encounters and discoveries govern Schemata’s activities that entail thinking and making by hand. Crafted with immaculate details that required a few iterations, both the buildings are minimal and highly functional. While responding to the topography and the need of the user, the design is able to create the desired experience in both the spaces, enhancing the interior-exterior connection at the same time.
Name: DOKUBO+ EL AMIGO
Location: Seto Inland sea
Architects: Jo Nagasaka / Schemata Architects
Project team: Tomomi Ishibashi
Usage: Residential expansion
Construction: TANK, TSUNEISHI FACILITIES&CRAFT CO.,LTD.
Collaboration: Hashigotaka Architects(Structural design)
Number of stories: 1 Floor
Total floor area
Dokubou: 51.96m2
El Amigo: 17.42m2
Type of structure
Dokubou: steel frame
El Amigo: Reinforced concrete construction
by Anmol Ahuja Sep 05, 2025
The film by Francesca Molteni and Mattia Colombo chronicles the celebrated architect’s legacy and pioneership in green architecture through four global projects and exclusive interviews.
by Anushka Sharma Sep 04, 2025
Sameep Padora, Megha Ramaswamy and Kyle Bergman reflected on the tryst between the real and reel in a ~multilog(ue) framing human narratives and experiences in cities.
by Anushka Sharma Sep 02, 2025
From climate-responsive housing in Bangladesh to cultural infrastructure in Palestine, the 2025 award recipients celebrate architecture that honours heritage and inspires hope.
by Aarthi Mohan Sep 01, 2025
Built with local materials and geographic metaphors, the kindergarten in Cameroon provides a learning environment shaped by the climate, culture and community.
make your fridays matter
SUBSCRIBEEnter your details to sign in
Don’t have an account?
Sign upOr you can sign in with
a single account for all
STIR platforms
All your bookmarks will be available across all your devices.
Stay STIRred
Already have an account?
Sign inOr you can sign up with
Tap on things that interests you.
Select the Conversation Category you would like to watch
Please enter your details and click submit.
Enter the 6-digit code sent at
Verification link sent to check your inbox or spam folder to complete sign up process
by Amarjeet Singh Tomar | Published on : Apr 19, 2023
What do you think?