Natura March - April 2014 | Página 75

TROPİK BİR İKLİME SAHİP OLAN KAGOŞİMA’DA YER ALAN YAPI ESNEK PLAN ŞEMASIYLA İÇ VE DIŞ MEKANIN SINIRLARINI YOK EDİYOR. THE RESIDENCE BUILT FOR THE TROPICAL CLIMATE OF KAGOSHIMA, HAS A FLEXIBLE PLAN THAT BLURS THE BOUNDARIES BETWEEN INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR. Beyond its aesthetics the key aspect of the construction is the physical qualities of the Shirasu soil used in the bricks. Its geological properties make it an ideal building material, as it is fireproof, lightweight, insulates from heat and cold while allowing humidity to pass through it. Traditionally it has been used throughout the town of Kagoshima as a pavement material making it an important part of the urban sphere. It has been also historically identified with the natural landscape of the area through the many caves and geological formations. The Shirasu blocks in this way connect the house to the landscape and history of the area but are importantly part of the architects’ ecologically oriented architecture. The main feature of this approach consists of double exterior walls with a cavity in between that allows for the efficient transfer and insulation of heat and humidity. In the summer, humidity is drawn into the cavity while in the drier winter months the reverse occurs and humidity moves into the interior. This way the double cavity wall provides insulation from the tropic exterior heat reducing MART - NİSAN 2014 / MARCH - APRIL 2014 • NATURA 75