German Design Award 2016

Concept
The location became a Housing Expo at around 90 years ago as its quiet ambience remains from the inherited residential surroundings. However, after 11 months of research and analysing the environment, the convenience of people was adopted for their essential needs in everyday life with the flow of time. Having this condition, Timber Dentistry will stand as an iconic architecture that signifies its remaining value, which in the future, endeavours to mend the environmental conflicts.
Orientation and shape of the surrounding residential influenced the silhouette of the structure’s west elevation. Gable roof that blends in the neighborhood transforms like drawing an arc towards the west side as its movement shows modernism. To give a warm impression to the exterior facade, natural materials of wood are used, where walls stand as a white canvas that complements cherry blossoms during its season.
The timber structure is enhanced by the transparency of glass, which captivates attention from the eye-level pedestrian located in the first floor. Timber material in inner space blends with the street of cheery blossoms, thus the Architecture itself aimed to blend the inner and outer spaces. "Tree brings sunny and refreshing weather to the circumference.” Intends to develop a reproduction method while preserving its historic context even in a small building.

Truss
The volume of one-storey building was not enough to meet the required areas at the planning stage. Must ensure the clearance of building coverage, green coverage, parking coverage at the same time. The spaces were settled prior to the flow line which has made through three-dimensional planning. Cantilever set overhead the parking. Open space above it, disperse into the sky. The volume of this architecture was studied through relating the roof to the sky not by claiming its form.
Initial planning was focused on having efficient spaces for the user.
However, after several model studying, this focus gradually shifts to realizing the spaces more precisely.
Client have chosen Wood Structure having RC (Reinforced Concrete), Steel as other choices.
Implementation of the wood structure was most difficult and challenging compared to other two.
The planning process was stimulated with the engineer specialized in wood structure, Engr. Masahiro Inayama.
Curve contour was created through the silhouette of its surroundings, which express the subtle relation of the people and society.
Thus, trapezoid form of truss structure was anticipated to express its whole figure. At the same time, the process of manufacturing and construction was achieved in simple way.

Environmental Consideration
Many of the patients feel anxious when going to a medical facility (Dental Clinic).
Therefore, this medical facility conquered to have a bright space where patients can relax and ease the feelings.
Treatment area were planned to have view of the sky while having the patients’ privacy.
Since small architecture tends to isolate the interior to enclosed spaces, this architecture anticipate to have the whole place as connected, moreover, inner space flows freely towards outer space.
Thus, taking in natural light and ventilating air into the space are attained through widening the openings.
Design of the space were planned to capture as much as many natural wind and light into the space.
As a result of adopting the LED lighting and energy saving air-conditioning into this space eliminates power consumption into 50% compared to the former facility.
In addition, each equipment were studied to place where people would not notice its presence visually, like blending into the spacious facility.

Weiße Flächen und Holzverkleidungen prägen die Ästhetik dieses eleganten Entwurfs für eine Zahnklinik in Japan. Während das Weiß für schöne und gesunde Zähne steht, strahlen die nahezu komplett verkleideten Holzwände Wärme aus und sorgen dafür, dass sich der Besucher und Patient sofort wohlfühlt. Sehr schön auch die Dachkonstruktion aus Holzbalken. Lichter im Dach und großzügige Glasfronten sorgen für Helligkeit im Innern. Ein interessantes Gebäude, das mit seinen geschwungenen Formen auffällt und sich von seiner Umgebung abhebt, ohne protzig zu wirken.