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Interviews with Yoshiaki Tanaka

Grand Interview

12 December 2024 · Warm Transparency Ospedale

The architecture that is generally associated with new building materials tends to be a space lacking in natural colors and materials. In particular, the architecture of medical clinics has been covered with artificial materials in order to prioritize function and efficiency. It is becoming more and more distant from the ordinary senses of human beings.That's why we made extensive use of wood, a material that has long been familiar in Japanese homes, so that patients could feel relaxed and comfortable thanks to the warmth of the wood.

By planning an L-shaped atrium, patients can spend time in a bright and open space filled with natural light. The L-shaped atrium not only connects the first and second floors, but also visually connects the clinic with the city.

The large wooden eaves serve as a weatherproof approach space for patients and create a protected space like a veranda even when they are outside and become a place for the local community. In addition, the large eaves are designed as a passive design to shield the southeast side from the sun.

The design of this building was based on our desire to create a space that would provide healing for patients by incorporating a wooden feel, while also meeting functionality and legal requirements.By reinterpreting and extending the common architectural usage of eaves and vaulted ceilings and using familiar materials such as wood, I tried to create a clinic with “warmth and transparency” where patients and medical staff can feel calm and positive.

By installing bold trusses on the glass surface of the exterior wall on the second floor facing the atrium, we aimed to express the structure itself as a distinctive design.

We believe that a hospital building should be a place where patients and medical staff feel less stress and more comfortable. We also believe that having a clinic nearby that is easy for people to visit is effective in terms of maintaining their health.

Patients tend to feel more tense in closed spaces. This clinic is open, and the warmth of the wood helps patients feel calm.In addition, the design, which makes the interior visible from the outside, makes medical care feel more familiar, providing a sense of security to local residents.

Since there are many inorganic buildings surrounding this building, we wanted to create an architecture that conveys the warmth of wood not only inside but also outside.So, we will use a combination of antibacterial and wooden materials in the examination rooms and other functional rooms. In the waiting area where many patients stay, we will use many wooden materials to create a calm and relaxing space and let the warmth of the wood show through the glass surface to the city.

Especially in urban medical facilities, space is limited, so functionality tends to be the only priority. However, we believe that we should not neglect to make efforts to make patients comfortable, such as planning an interior that gives a sense of the warmth of wood. This will increase patient satisfaction and differentiate us from other clinics.

Rehabilitation is not just fun. We believe that conducting rehabilitation in an open space can increase the motivation of patients.

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Interviews with Yoshiaki Tanaka

Grand Interview

Your innovative use of wood materials in Warm Transparency Clinic challenges traditional clinical environments - could you elaborate on how this design choice helps bridge the gap between medical spaces and patients' daily lives?

The L-shaped open ceiling space in Warm Transparency Clinic creates a unique connection between rehabilitation and waiting areas - what inspired this architectural decision to enhance patient experience and comfort?

How does the integration of large wooden eaves in Warm Transparency Clinic, extending from the interior to the exterior, contribute to creating a sense of security and welcome for patients before they even enter the building?

Your Gold A' Design Award-winning Warm Transparency Clinic masterfully balances functional medical requirements with emotional well-being - could you share your approach to achieving this delicate equilibrium?

The space truss system in Warm Transparency Clinic plays a crucial structural role while remaining visually present - what led to the decision to expose these industrial elements among the warm wooden features?

How does Warm Transparency Clinic's design philosophy address the psychological impact of healthcare environments, particularly in terms of reducing patient stress and anxiety through architectural elements?

The gradation between town and clinic in Warm Transparency Clinic creates interesting intermediate spaces - could you explain how this transitional design enhances the overall healing environment?

What specific considerations influenced your material selection and spatial organization in Warm Transparency Clinic to create what you describe as "warm transparency" for both the building's users and the surrounding community?

Looking at the success of Warm Transparency Clinic, how do you envision this approach to healthcare architecture influencing future medical facility designs, particularly in urban settings?

The rehabilitation spaces in Warm Transparency Clinic seem to blur the boundaries between clinical and social areas - could you discuss how this design strategy impacts patient recovery and well-being?

Good Design Deserves Great Recognition