Ten

Residential House for IKUYO NAKAMA ARCHITECT/ASSOCIATES

Ten is a private residence in Okinawa that integrates architecture, climate, and garden as a unified spatial system. Existing greenery was carefully retained and embedded into the design, shaping both architectural form and daily living. In response to intense solar radiation, humidity, and typhoons, the house is composed of courtyards, terraces, and deep eaves, forming a passive strategy for shading and natural ventilation. These layered spaces mediate between interior and exterior, enabling climatic adaptation while maintaining continuity with the site, transforming environmental conditions.

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Ten by Ikuyo Nakama

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Residential House by Ikuyo Nakama

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Ikuyo Nakama Ten

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Ikuyo Nakama Residential House

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Unique Properties

Ten is a residential project in Okinawa that employs the garden as a spatial and climatic device. The existing garden is preserved as time engraved into the land and becomes the core element shaping the architecture. Responding to Okinawa’s intense climate, the house integrates layered courtyards, terraces, and deep eaves to form a three-dimensional passive system that enhances natural ventilation and solar control.

Tags

passive architecture, residential house, subtropical climate, courtyard, garden as device, vernacular reinterpretation, sustainable design, Okinawa

Production Technology

The project was realized through a reinforced concrete structure combined with deep eaves and layered courtyards. Climatic analysis of wind paths, solar angles, and seasonal changes informed the architectural configuration. Rather than relying on mechanical systems, passive strategies were embedded into spatial composition. Local materials such as concrete, stone, and timber were selected for durability and thermal stability in Okinawa’s subtropical climate.

Design Challenge

The most challenging aspect of this project was reconciling the severe subtropical climate of Okinawa with the desire to create a calm and refined living environment. Strong solar radiation, high humidity, and frequent typhoons impose significant environmental constraints, often leading to reliance on mechanical systems or closed architectural forms. Instead, the challenge was to transform these constraints into spatial opportunities without compromising comfort or openness. This was addressed by carefully configuring courtyards, terraces, and deep eaves to control light, airflow, and thermal conditions. The integration of existing greenery further enhanced microclimatic performance while maintaining continuity with the site. Through this process, environmental forces were not treated as problems to eliminate, but as active elements shaping the architecture. The result is a passive and resilient spatial system that achieves both environmental performance and a sense of quiet, enduring quality.　

Project Duration

The project was designed and constructed in Okinawa, Japan, and completed in the 2024 as a private residence.

Operation Flow

Spaces are experienced through gradual transitions between interior and exterior. Courtyards and terraces guide airflow and daylight, allowing occupants to naturally adjust comfort through spatial movement rather than mechanical control.

Research

Type of Research: Practice-based architectural and environmental design research. Research Objectives: To create a spatial system that integrates architecture, climate, and landscape for subtropical living. Methodology: Design-driven exploration based on site observation and climatic understanding. Data Collection and Research Tools Used: Observations of solar exposure, wind flow, humidity, and local living patterns, combined with site analysis. Participants or Experiments: Iterative design development through spatial studies and built experience. Results: A passive spatial system using courtyards, terraces, and deep eaves to enhance shading and natural ventilation. Insights and Impacts: Climatic constraints can be transformed into spatial richness and comfort. Effect: Demonstrates a practical and adaptable approach to climate-responsive residential design in Okinawa.

Inspiration

The inspiration for Ten emerged from close observation of Okinawa’s climate and vernacular living patterns. Rather than opposing heat, humidity, and strong sunlight, the project seeks to understand and accept these natural forces. The long-cherished existing garden became a key reference, revealing how landscape moderates climate and daily life. Traditional courtyards, deep eaves, and airflow principles were reinterpreted into a contemporary passive architectural system.

Image Credits

Photography Toshiyuki Yano

Project Overview

Ten Residential House has been a Silver winner in the Architecture, Building and Structure Design award category in the year 2025 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Silver A' Design Award celebrates top-tier designs that embody excellence and innovation. This award acknowledges creations that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly functional, reflecting the designer's deep understanding and skill. Silver A' Design Award recipients are recognized for their contribution to raising industry standards and advancing the practice of design. Their work often incorporates original innovations and elicits a strong emotional response, making a notable impact on the improvement of everyday life.

Silver Recognition

Ikuyo Nakama was recognized with the coveted Silver A' Design Award in 2026, a testament to excellence of their work Ten Residential House.

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