The Annual Conference of the Architectural Institute of Japan (Chugoku) was held at Yasuda Women’s University in Asaminami-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture, from September 8 to 11, 2026.
Students of the Kakura-Ishigaki Lab made the following presentations.
On August 29 and 30, we held our annual seminar camp.
At the BBQ, we all helped prepare the food together, enjoyed our meal, and had a great time until late into the night. On the second day, we tried SUP at the beach and were able to fully enjoy the summer!
We hope to cherish the bonds we deepened during this seminar camp and continue to inspire and challenge one another as we tackle our respective research and activities in the second semester!
On July 19, we held a furniture-making workshop at the former Kie Police Dormitory on Osakikamijima Island.
Despite the intense summer heat, we spent the day making stackable chairs! In the morning, we discussed and tested different assembly methods, and in the afternoon, we got to work on the actual production.
As we made more chairs, we became faster and made fewer mistakes. By the end of the workshop, we felt like we were getting closer to becoming professionals at chair making!
The chairs we made can be stacked and stored compactly, making them easy to store when not in use.
We were also happy to welcome local high school and university students to the workshop. There is something special about creating something together with others, and we were reminded once again of how enjoyable making things can be.It was also a day that made us hope to share the joy of craftsmanship with even more people in the future.
Our next workshop is planned for November.Thank you for your continued support!/kurioka
On July 29, we visited the group home Misonokko and the community-based special nursing home Yuzu no Ya, both located in Misono, Saijo, Higashihiroshima.
During the visit, Ms. Satomi Sugimoto, an emotional environment designer and Ms. Sumire Ochi both involved in architectural design of the two facilities, guided us through two places.
Misonokko is designed with the aim of creating an environment where residents can live without feeling like they are in an institutional care facility. Thoughtful design features were incorporated throughout the building, such as fabric signboards and semi-enclosed spaces that provide residents with a comfortable sense of privacy and places to relax.
At Yuzu no Ya, the design prioritizes creating a familiar and welcoming environment rather than a conventional institutional atmosphere. The rooms are named with something that reminds the residents of their daily lives back then, while the colors of the carpets also reflects the times. Flowers, books, and humorous messages are displayed throughout the building, creating comfortable environment where residents can feel at ease.
ゆずの家での見学の様子 / Visitng Yuzu no Ya地域交流室でプランニングについての説明をうける / Learning about the plan
Throughout our visit, we were especially touched by the residents, who greeted us with warm smiles and friendly waves. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Ms. Satomi Sugimoto and Ms. Sumire Ochi for kindly guiding us through the facilities, as well as to the staff and residents of Misonokko and Yuzu no Ya for their warmly welcoming us.
Our lab’s annual lunch gatherings have now entered their fifth year.
I believe that preparing your own meals lays the foundation for leading a self-directed life, so I am very pleased that so many members participate and that these gatherings continue.
In June, we held two lunch gatherings to welcome alumni. These events also provided an opportunity to deepen our connections with senior members and representatives from various companies.
Japan–Taiwan Workshop was held from June 15 to June 18.
A total of 18 students and professors from Taiwan joined 18 fourth-year students from Hiroshima University to develop proposals addressing contemporary issues facing the Motomachi High-Rise Apartments.
On the first day, participants attended lectures and visited the sites to learn about the Motomachi Apartments, followed by an opening party that provided an opportunity for interaction and ice-breaking.
During the second and third days, each group engaged in discussions, research, and proposal development. The final day, all groups presented their work and shared their ideas.
Although the language barrier and cultural differences sometimes created communication challenges, it was inspiring to see participants sincerely engage with the same issues and develop proposals that reflected their diverse perspectives.
Working together with students from different backgrounds provided valuable opportunities to encounter new viewpoints and ideas, making the workshop an enriching and stimulating experience for everyone involved.
Through this valuable international exchange, I think it was great opportunity for participants to broadened their perspectives while gaining a deeper appreciation for the importance of collaborating across cultures and sharing diverse values in the process of addressing complex challenges.
オープニングアクトの様子/ The opening remarks by Assoc.Prof. Sumikura基町アパートの実態の解説 / The lecture by Itai san2日目先生方によるエスキスの様子/ Discussing about the plan with the professors.英語で話し合う学生たち / Sharing the progress in English最終発表の様子/The final presentation最終発表後に基町アパートで集合写真 / Group photo after the final presentation at the Motomachi Apartment
In the team competition, four teams played a round-robin tournament with fantastic prizes at stake, and every match was fiercely contested.
In the year-group competition, the results were 1st place: B4, 2nd place: M1, and 3rd place: M2—a somewhat disappointing outcome for the senior year group, but everyone had a great time and worked up a good sweat!
In the evening, we also held a social gathering titled the ‘B4 Welcome Party’, making it a day of complete excitement for both body and mind.
To demonstrate the best possible team spirit with this group, we must start with the best possible team-building! Stay tuned for what’s to come!!
As part of Hiroshima University’s project, a collaborative initiative between our laboratory and the Motomachi High-Rise Apartment 6 Core Residents’ Association has received an award at the “21st Housing and Neighborhood Landscape Competition” organized by the Housing Production Promotion Foundation.
The award, the “Residential Neighborhood Award,” was presented to the Motomachi High-Rise Apartment 6 Core Residents’ Association. We are very pleased that the activities in which our laboratory is involved have been recognized in this way.
We participated in the “Kamijima Art Walk” for the third time!
This year, we held a “Chopstick-Making Workshop” and screened the short film *Where*, produced by students from Eichi School!
The Chopstick-Making Workshop has become a regular feature, having been held at last year’s Art Walk, various other events, and even at the market we organized at Kie Elementary School last month. We were thrilled to see so many people join us again this year—it was a huge success!
Additionally, the screening of the short film *Where* by Eichi School students came about because the film used the “Former Kie Police Officers’ Quarters”—which we renovated—as the protagonist’s home ✨
It was a truly wonderful film, and with so many guests in attendance, the entire venue was filled with a warm and cozy atmosphere ♪
Our next event is scheduled for around July!
This year, six energetic fourth-year students have joined our lab, giving us a fresh new team!
We plan to continue engaging in a variety of activities, so we appreciate your continued support! /tamori
