House of Local Spirits , A Michelin-starred chef relocated to a 90-year-old traditional wooden house in a small fishing village in Akune City, southern Japan. Deeply inspired by the chef’s unique worldview, which values local materials and traditions, we sought to express a similar sense of regional identity and cultural continuity through architecture.
© Kenta Hasegawa
The rugged silver steel fish crates stacked at Akune Fishing Port left a strong impression on us. Drawing inspiration from these crates and the abundance of bluefish, such as horse mackerel and sardines caught in the nearby seas, we envisioned enveloping the old house with silver steel panels. This bold architectural gesture not only protects the building from the harsh coastal climate but also symbolizes a dialogue between preservation and transformation, blending the old with the new.
© Kenta Hasegawa
We carefully preserved the original wooden structure, allowing it to remain visible beneath the new metal skin. This layering creates a visual and tactile conversation between past and present, embodying the spirit of the local fishing community while inviting reflection on change and continuity.
© Kenta Hasegawa
The traditional “genkan doma” — the earthen-floored entrance space that once functioned as both a reception area and kitchen — was reinterpreted to extend its continuity into the interior. This created a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor spaces and established a flexible semi-public venue that reflects the communal nature of the fishing village.
© Kenta Hasegawa
Sustainability and social impact were central to the design. By reusing the existing structure rather than demolishing and rebuilding, the project significantly reduces construction waste and embodied carbon. The house also serves as a social catalyst, reactivating a once-abandoned home as a gathering place that fosters community connection in a depopulating village.
© Kenta Hasegawa
This architecture aspires to be a living phenomenon rooted in local livelihood, connecting past, present, and future. It demonstrates a sensitive, poetic approach to rural revitalization, offering a new model for how traditional architecture can evolve while honoring heritage.
Project Info
Architects: atelier SALAD
Country: Japan, Akune
Area: 88 m²
Year: 2025
Photographs: Kenta Hasegawa
Lead Team: Kohei Tokunaga,Hiroko Kakoi
Engineering & Consulting > Lighting: Filaments
Landscape Architecture: Weru Landscape
Madeline Brooks is a Projects Editor at Arch2O, where she has been shaping and refining architectural content since March 2024. With over a decade of experience in editorial work, she has curated, revised, and published an array of projects covering architecture, urbanism, and public space design. A graduate of the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, Madeline brings a strong academic foundation and a discerning editorial eye to each piece she oversees. Since joining Arch2O, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the platform’s editorial direction, with a focus on sustainability, social relevance, and cutting-edge design. Madeline excels at translating complex architectural ideas into clear, engaging stories that resonate with both industry professionals and general readers. She works closely with architects, designers, and global contributors to ensure every project is presented with clarity, depth, and compelling visual narrative. Her editorial leadership continues to elevate Arch2O’s role in global architectural dialogue.