PROJECT

PROJECT 2025.08.15

Cultivating HOME / 松田まり子建築設計事務所

奥へ奥へと空間が連なる、開放的なコートハウス

クライアントにつけていただいた建物名〈Cultivating HOME〉は、「上昇していく家」を意味する。住まいとともに、空と地、過去と未来、人と動物と地域が、緩やかに育っていくような住まいを思い描いた。

見上げる空は、晴れの日も雨の日も朝も夜も美しく、屋上庭園からは海も見える。自然の恵み、流れる雨、育っていくシンボルツリー、中庭に落ちる日向も、1年の中に同じ日は1日たりともない。

沖縄は、明るく開放的なイメージの土地柄に対し、伝統的な民家は石垣や屋敷林に囲まれていて外から見えにくいつくりになっている。自然災害から家を守る知恵である。しかし、ヒンプンを超えて1歩足を踏み入れると、奥へと広がっていく開放的な空間が現れる。

そんな沖縄の伝統を現代の空間に読み換えた、閉じているようで奥へと繋がっていく連続した空間。その先のリビングダイニングは一見洞窟のような暗い空間だが、コーナートップライトにより日中は灯りを付けなくても過ごすことができる。このトップライトは光を取り込むほかに、湿気を逃す工夫でもある。

室内が取り囲む住まいの中心には中庭、そして屋上庭園へ続く螺旋階段がある。螺旋階段は、平面だけでなく空へと繋がり、日差しや雨、月の光を日常に取り込んでくれる。真ん中に植える木の成長が、これからの時間を物語ってくれるはずである。

この住まいはコートハウスだが、花ブロックを通して声や灯り、香りなどが伝わってくる。完全に閉じるのではなく、外の気配をやわらかく感じられる空間。それこそが沖縄らしいと思っている。

命を守る知恵を現代的空間言語に読み替えることが、私たちにできる「継承と挑戦」である。（松田まり子）

An open courtyard house with a space that extends into the back

The building name given by the client, “Cultivating HOME,” means “a house that rises upward.” We envisioned a home where the sky and the earth, the past and the future, people and animals, and the community would grow together in harmony.

The sky above is beautiful on sunny days and rainy days, morning and night, and the rooftop garden offers a view of the sea. The blessings of nature, flowing rain, growing symbol trees, and sunlight falling into the courtyard—no two days are the same throughout the year.

Okinawa is a land with a bright and open image, but traditional houses are surrounded by stone walls and estate forests, making them difficult to see from the outside. This is a way to protect homes from natural disasters. However, once you step beyond the entrance, an open space that expands inward appears.

This design reinterprets Okinawa’s traditional architecture into a modern space, creating a continuous flow of spaces that seem closed yet connect to the depths. The living-dining area beyond appears dark like a cave at first glance, but during the day, natural light from the corner skylight allows you to spend time there without needing artificial lighting. This skylight not only brings in light but also serves as a ventilation system to release moisture.

At the center of the house, surrounded by the interior, is a courtyard and a spiral staircase leading to the rooftop garden. The spiral staircase connects not only to the ground but also to the sky, bringing sunlight, rain, and moonlight into daily life. The growth of the tree planted in the center will tell the story of the time to come.

This house is a courtyard house, but through the flower blocks, sounds, lights, and scents can be felt. It is a space that does not entirely close off, but instead allows one to sense the presence of the outside world softly. That is what I consider to be Okinawan.

Translating the wisdom of protecting life into a modern spatial language is the “inheritance and challenge” that we can undertake. The building name given by the client, “Cultivating HOME,” signifies a “home that ascends.” I envisioned a home where the sky and earth, past and future, people and animals, and the community grow together in harmony.

The sky above is beautiful, whether sunny or rainy, day or night, and the rooftop garden offers a view of the sea. The blessings of nature, flowing rain, growing symbol trees, and sunlight falling in the courtyard—no two days are the same throughout the year.

Okinawa is a land with a bright and open image, but traditional houses are surrounded by stone walls and estate forests, making them difficult to see from the outside. This is a way to protect homes from natural disasters. However, once you step beyond the entrance, an open space that extends inward appears.

This design reinterprets Okinawa’s traditional architecture into a modern space, creating a continuous space that seems closed yet connects inward. The living-dining area beyond appears dark like a cave at first glance, but thanks to corner skylights, it can be enjoyed without artificial lighting during the day. These skylights not only bring in light but also serve to vent moisture.

At the center of the home, surrounded by the interior, is a courtyard and a spiral staircase leading to the rooftop garden. The spiral staircase connects not only to the ground but also to the sky, bringing sunlight, rain, and moonlight into daily life. The growth of the tree planted at the center will tell the story of the time to come.

This residence is a courtyard house, but through the flower blocks, sounds, light, and scents can be felt. It is not entirely closed off, but rather a space where the presence of the outside world can be softly sensed. That is what I believe to be truly Okinawan.

Translating the wisdom of protecting life into modern spatial language is the “inheritance and challenge” that we can undertake. (Mariko Matsuda)