Project Name: Sachibaru Village

Location: Nanjo City, Okinawa, Japan

Design Team: STUDIO MONAKA

Total Floor Area: 142.42 m²

Building Footprint: 122.55 m²

Site Area: 584.39 m²

Structure: Wooden construction, 2 stories above ground

Design Period: January 2022 - January 2023

Construction Period: May 2023 - March 2024

Completion Date: March 2024

General Contractor: Arakaki Construction

Structural Engineer: Ensake Structural Design / Ko Ensake

Photographer: Yoshiaki Ida

Feature：

Project - Nestled in an ancient forest near the ocean in Nanjo City, Okinawa, Sachibaru Village emerges as a groundbreaking architectural project that challenges conventional design principles. STUDIO MONAKA, led by architects Yasushi Okayama, Shuhei Morita, and Kenichiro Nakamoto, has created a remarkable space that inverts the modernist dictum "form follows function" to spectacular effect.

The project's most distinctive feature lies in its deliberate rejection of predetermined usage patterns. Responding to the client's desire for an undefined purpose, the architects crafted what they call a "third place" - a fluid environment that serves as a canvas for children's growth and learning. This philosophical approach manifests in a design that harmoniously integrates with its historic setting, carefully weaving between existing Ryukyu limestone formations and centuries-old trees.

The 142-square-metre structure demonstrates exceptional environmental sensitivity, with the architects refusing to fell any trees during construction. Instead, they allowed the natural topography of the sloped site to guide the building's form, creating a dialogue between architectural intervention and landscape. The site, marked by ancient agricultural terraces dating back to the Ryukyu Kingdom period, retains its historical character while embracing contemporary design elements.

What sets Sachibaru Village apart is its innovative prioritization of exterior spaces, with interior areas serving merely as complementary elements. This reversal of traditional architectural hierarchy results in a series of interconnected spaces that blur the boundaries between inside and out. The project exemplifies a distinctly Okinawan approach to space-making, characterized by generosity and openness, while establishing a new paradigm for educational environments that prioritize freedom and spontaneity over rigid functionality.

The completed structure, with its modest footprint of 122.55 square metres spread across two floors, stands as a testament to how contemporary architecture can respect historical context while pushing the boundaries of conventional program definition.

Design Team - STUDIO MONAKA, established in 2015 in Kyoto, Japan, stands as an innovative architectural practice that transcends conventional design boundaries. Founded by three visionary architects - Yasushi Okayama, Shuhei Morita, and Kenichiro Nakamoto - all born in 1987, the firm has evolved into a multidisciplinary studio that approaches architecture as a catalyst for community engagement and environmental harmony.

The practice operates through dual headquarters - their main studio in Kyoto's historic Funaoka Park and a satellite office in Okinawa, established in 2018. This geographical diversity allows them to respond sensitively to both urban and tropical contextual challenges. Their portfolio spans residential, commercial, and public realm projects, with a particular emphasis on creating what they term "background architecture" - spaces that naturally foster human interaction and environmental connection.

STUDIO MONAKA's design philosophy is distinguished by their unique approach to architectural programming, often beginning with exterior spatial planning before developing interior solutions. This methodology has garnered recognition, including the 6th Okinawa Architecture Award's Encouragement Prize in 2020. The firm's expertise encompasses master planning, architectural design, interior design, and environmental consulting, with a strong focus on community-driven projects.

Under the leadership of Okayama, Morita, and Nakamoto, supported by a team of eleven professionals including certified architects and project designers, STUDIO MONAKA continues to push the boundaries of contemporary Japanese architecture while maintaining a deep respect for contextual and cultural sensitivities.