Works

A General Hospital on the South-westernmost of Japan, in Coexistence with the Climate and Environment of Yaeyama

Okinawa Prefectural Yaeyama Hospital is the central hospital for acute care in the islands of the Yaeyama Archipelago (the Yaeyama healthcare district) including Ishigaki Island, Iriomote Island, Hateruma Island, Yonaguni Island, etc. It plays an important function and role not only in general medical treatment, but also in strategic health and medical care to be undertaken by the government such as emergency medical care, pediatric care, perinatal care, etc.
　In this project a scheme that is excellent for the users and a design that is appropriate for Yaeyama was produced, taking into consideration the strong sunlight and ferocious typhoons that are a characteristic of Ishigaki Island, and basic performance such as measures against salt damage and humidity, etc.
　The façade consists of dry tiles imitating red bricks, white mosaic tiles that come to life under the broad blue sky, and silica filled fair-faced concrete walls for low degradation and color fading and low maintenance frequency. There is a fusion of function and design, specifically louvers to block the sunlight, window design with small opening areas, a large vehicle approach canopy to screen sunlight and wind (in the image of a hinpun, a privacy wall in front of an Okinawan house).
　The interior is designed in Yaeyama style, with Ryukyu limestone, plastered walls containing coral powder, tapestries using Yaeyama minsah weaving, processed glass partition walls. The 2nd to 4th floors of the hospital building have two nursing stations on one floor in a triangular shape, arranged to avoid the sun in the west and so that the whole floor can be seen. Column positions of the wards on the hypotenuse side are adjusted to allow a radiating bed layout for ease of observation, creating characteristic wards with wider private space. Also, staff space is provided on the top story which has a good view, to provide a good working environment.
　The beams and columns have a precast prestressed structure, as a measure against the shortage of labor in this remote island and to shorten the construction period. There are large spans of 12.8 m, providing a high degree of freedom in plan, and allowing for easy change of function in the future.