Regenerative Architecture & Life Style
Yakushima Island is a natural paradise in southern Japan whereabundant rainfall onto 2,000-meter peaks nurtures dense forests home
to millennium-old Japanese cedar.
This innovative housing co-op applies "regenerative architecture" toreconceptualize the relationship between human habitation and thisnature. The name Sumu means both "to live" and "to become clear,"
expressing its core concept of living in a way that positively impacts thelandscape.
Rather than being a discrete site, the design takes a holistic view ofthe entire river basin, from the mountains to the sea, making a
positive contribution to natural processes.

Yakushima

Concept

Yakushima Island▲1,936m

1

Yakushima

Overview
Mountain

FarmCirculation

Concept Diagram

Deck

LoungeLiving Deck⑤⑥⑦③②④①①Dining/Kitchen②Lounge③Bathroom④Living Deck
⑤Bed Cabin 1⑥Bed Cabin 2⑦Bed Cabin 3

0Ocean20m

Bed Cabin 3

Bathroom

Kitchen

Bed Cabin 2

50m

Site Plan

Living Deck2

Experimental Housing with a Sense of Community

Regenerative Architecture

Sumu is an experimental housing co-op jointly created by eight owners.
Made for use by the owners and trusted friends, it is a place for tending
to nature while reflecting on values.

Sumu applies "regenerative architecture," a new approach developed by the designers thatcombines traditional Japanese civil engineering with contemporary technology.
Going beyond simply preserving nature as it is today, key considerations in the design are:Yakushima

Idea

1. Underground design
Designing the underground environment
and engaging the buildings in aconstructed mycelial network promotes
biodiversity in the soil.

the flow of
2. Promoting
air and water
The buildings are oriented based on an indepth understanding of how water and air
flow through the landscape. It is important
to design the part considering the flow ofthe entire basin.

Wind Flow
Water Flow

3. Dialogue with nature
The deterioration of buildings is a functionof nature. As such, we regard
maintenance as a dialogue with nature
through architecture.

Revitalized tree
A camphor tree (anevergreen tree) that had
grown weak and lost its
leaves was revitalized
through this regenerativearchitecture.

BeforeAfter2021/3/5

2022/3/27

3Architecture that bonds with nature

Buildings that help the forest breathe

Sumu comprises several separate buildings to enable a layout that
respects the original natural landscape. The buildings protect the treeroots and reduce the impact of the wind, while stones supply minerals tothe surrounding soil and foster tree growth. Tree roots passing under thebuildings support the soil, an act of symbiosis between nature andarchitecture.

The buildings and decks are raised, dispersing wind flowing between the mountains andthe sea without blocking it. This allows the forest to breathe, promoting healthy air andwater circulation. Despite the humid climate, this ventilation prevents moistureaccumulation that may damage the buildings. Naturally-derived persimmon tannin isapplied to the wooden structures near the soil to prevent erosion by insects. The result isa space that breathes together with the surrounding forest.

Yakushima

Form

Separate buildings are connected by outdoor

paths, incorporating walks through the forest
into daily activities to constantly evoke thesensation of life in harmony with nature.

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Encouraging tree root growth to support the soil
near the foundations

WoodenStructure

The design also extends underground. Burned wood is placed under thefoundations of each building, and the carbonized surface promotes the growth ofmycelium (fungal threads) that join them to the forest's soil network. The
mycelium encourage tree root growth under buildings, strengthening the soil.

Tree
Water gradient
Water / Air flow

Water / Air flow

The mothertree andnew shoots
areconnectedby amycelium
network
relayed byburnt stakes

Crackedstone

Mulch &
rice husk
charcoal

The carbonizedsurface promotes
the growth ofmycelium that joinfoundations to theforest's soil network

Mycelium attracts tree roots
and reinforces the structure
The Burned wood
pile (2000mm)
Underground Water Vain

Bedrock

Mycelium network in the soil

Illuminating spaces with the colorof the earth
The off-grid kitchen
made with local
cedar features asolar-poweredradiant heat cooker,
while water is drawn
from the river basin,
then purified by
microorganisms andreturned to nature
after use.
The island layout ofthe kitchen
encourages social
gathering andcommunication.

Crushedstone

Independentfoundation

Fallen leaves

Off-grid kitchen

YakushimaFunction

Lights made by local pottersusing clay from under thebuildings reflected
illumination from the mirror
bulb, whose light sourcecannot be seen, and fill the
space with the color of thesoil itself.

Local & fermented materials
Plaster made from a
mix of charcoal andeffective
microorganism (EM)bacteria provides ahealthy, comfortable
space by preventing
mold and otherputrefactive bacteria.

Plaster＋Hemp charcoal ＋EM bacteria

5Sumu has developed a new methodology called“regenerative architecture,” whereby the buildings
enrich nature. In addition to exploring modern
applications of traditional Japanese wisdom, itsfeatures include:①100% off-grid energy from solar power, storage batteries and local firewood②Comfortable living spaces that leverage architectural expertise to achieve effective airtightness andinsulation unlike camp-style accommodation③Modern spaces with stylish design

Yakushima

Differentiation

A major departure from conventional nature experience facilities, Sumu encourages a wider section of society toengage in learning with the aim of bettering our planet’s future.

100% OFFGRID SYSTEM
KitchenSolar power and storage batteries+Lounge

CARBON NEUTRAL

Bathroom

Local firewood for heating & cooking①Energy from Nature②Effective Airtightness & Insulation③Stylish Living Spaces

6Carbon positive cycle

Regenerative Lifestyle
True to its concept of making a positive impact byliving among nature, Sumu residents adopt a“regenerative lifestyle” that enhances theenvironment through everyday activities, fromcollecting driftwood for use as firewood to clearing
grass to allow cool air to flow through in a way that
benefits the landscape.
Sumu's design changes our relationship withnature. It enables residents to discover new
possibilities for interacting with nature and adapt
the way they think and act, building relationships
with nature that transcend generations. Its uniqueapproach has the potential to accelerateenvironmental initiatives if more widely
applied.

Living atNurturing
the Nature=The local lumber industry on Yakushima
struggles to compete with cheaper woodfrom outside the island, and there is anabandoned plantation located upstream
from Sumu. Sumu’s owners perform
maintenance on this area, and use woodobtained from forest thinning for upkeepof its buildings. By going beyond simply
using wood to also foster the forest at thesame time, this creates a carbon-positivecycle.

Yakushima

ImpactNaturePositive

Regenerative System(Current state++)Regeneration of nature
in many regions
Reciprocity between natureand people
Stabilizing the circulationof water
Working for nature
Eat, play, sleep
Less Energy Required

Sustainable(Current state±0)7

DN

Yakushima

GL 0

手すり
12FL-50

DN

Stoveラウンジ棟

FL±0

Lounge23.18m2
FL-50

8FL-50Tree

岩Pantry

ｼｪｰﾄﾞ

Rock

FL-50

DNFL-500

ベンチ

ﾍﾞﾝﾁ（FL-500）

Symbol Tree

500+450

ｶｳﾝﾀｰ（FL-500）+4504550+450

Bath
浴室棟
FL-45014.22m2

Wood Deck

ﾃｰﾌﾞﾙ
FL-500ﾍﾞﾝﾁ

ﾍﾞﾝﾁ

37.26m2

DN

4000

ダイニング棟FL±0Dining

FL-950FL-950UP

給湯器

Kitchen

8190

3640

手すり

手すり

UP

1200

FL-50

手すり

雨水

3640

5460

キッチンガーデンUP

FL-2500

Living Area Plan

FL-1400※浴室前の樹木は間引きでview確保 移植か伐採

FL-50
FL-500士事務所 神奈川県知事登録 第16366号
FL-950士 大臣登録 第308504号 番場絵里香
FL-1400(仮称)鹿児島・モスの家
基本図面

FL 0
FL-500

図面名 /FL-950
配置図（ラウンジ棟）

scale/ 1:100

date/ 2021.04.28

FL-1400

FL-1850

FL-1850

FL-2300

FL-2300

Living Area Elevation

8Yakushima
Living Deck

Living Deck

Bed Room Deck

Living Deck

DiningDining/LoungeBed Room Deck

Bed Room Deck

Exterior

9Yakushima
KitchenLoungeDiningLounge

Bath room

Bath room

LoungeExterior

LoungeLiving Area

10

Yakushima
Bed Room (Ocean)

Bed Room (Moss)

Bed Room (Ocean)

Bed Room (Ocean)

Bed Room (Moss)

Bed Room (Ocean)

Bed Room (OM)

Bed Room (OM)

Bed Room (OM)

Bed cabins11Yakushima
受賞 Awards

公式サイト Website

https://sumu-life.net/

インスタグラム Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/sumu_yakushima/

コンセプトムービー(日本語)https://youtu.be/OQjXxLO-jUI

Concept Movie(English)

https://youtu.be/bm7JYGBWLlI

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