In recent years, many mountainous regions have faced a population decline, prompting efforts to attract new residents. Despite these efforts, the psychological challenges of relocation often hinder success. However, the rise of remote work during the Covid-19 pandemic has diminished the need to live exclusively in urban areas, presenting an opportunity to address the urban-rural divide. We responded to this opportunity by developing a novel model of residence ownership, bridging the gap between a traditional home and temporary accommodation. This model is grounded in a crowdfunding approach, where investors collectively own and manage the property.
Additionally, we tackled the underutilization of forest resources in these regions. A key factor in the forestry industry's decline is the industrial structure, which disadvantages local producers by involving multiple intermediaries between production and sale. To counter this, we introduced digital fabrication technology to these forested areas, creating a system that transforms locally grown, large-diameter trees into furniture and architectural elements within the region itself.
Our project innovatively modernizes the traditional Gassho-zukuri (steep gable roof) construction method, integrating it with digital technology. Maintaining the original Gassho-zukuri design, our buildings align with the north-south mountain range and feature east-facing openings for natural ventilation. This design allows light and air to flow through, ensuring a comfortable living environment. We also developed a construction method using small, lightweight parts that even children can handle, echoing the community-built nature of historical Gassho-zukuri structures.
We prioritized the use of local, unused lumber and aimed to build on nearly free land using mostly free materials. Our construction approach forgoes nails, relying instead on traditional Japanese interlocking wood joinery, which eliminates the need for heavy machinery or scaffolding. Over 1,000 structural components and joints were precisely crafted using digital fabrication machines. The accuracy of this process, combined with collaboration with local carpenters, allowed us to seamlessly blend traditional craftsmanship with modern technology, preserving local heritage while innovating for the future.
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