Dezeen Magazine

Y Clinic by Kimitaka Aoki of ARCO Architects

This clinic by architect Kimitaka Aoki in the Ibaraki prefecture of Japan is designed to look like a cluster of smaller buildings (+ slideshow).

Y Clinic by Kimitaka Aoki

Externally, Y-Clinic appears as four conjoined buildings creating a facade of protrusions and recesses with seemingly random windows and an uneven pitched roof.

Y Clinic by Kimitaka Aoki

These exterior irregularities are in fact the result of architect Kimitaka Aoki's sun trajectory studies and response to the surrounding scenery. These calculations result in an interior flooded with daylight and expansive views of paddy fields, cherry blossom and a river.

Y Clinic by Kimitaka Aoki

White walls and exposed wooden rafters that run in different directions depending on which roof section they support emphasise the varying internal volumes.

Y Clinic by Kimitaka Aoki

Aoki told Dezeen, "it’s important to directly express the shape and angle of each roof by leaving the rafters exposed".

Y Clinic by Kimitaka Aoki

Aoki is part of Japanese studio ARCO Architects.

Y Clinic by Kimitaka Aoki

Other clinics we've featured include Hackney studio Gort Scott's Cat Clinic, a vetinary practice with a subtly feline facade, and a Japanese hair treatment clinic by KORI architecture office and Arimoto Yushiro.

Y Clinic by Kimitaka Aoki

Photography is by Ippei Shinzawa.

Y Clinic by Kimitaka Aoki

Here's some more information from the architect:


This clinic is located in Tsuchiura, Ibaraki prefecture, Japan. The place next to rice paddy and riverbed is surrounded by nature. There are rice paddy, riverbed, cherry blossom trees, and beautiful sky.

Y Clinic by Kimitaka Aoki

Client (female doctor) demanded no rigidly formal clinic. On the other hand she really demanded reasonable and efficient circulation of doctor, staff and patient.

Y Clinic by Kimitaka Aoki

We designed the clinic by some clues (scenery, seasonal winds, sun trajectory and neighboring buildings) . We found out concavo-convex shape plan with keeping reasonable circulations. And, we suggested characteristic forms which is four buildings with each different roof which is leaded to relationships between inside and outside environment. The format of this architecture is unique to particular places. Whole building form is generated there by some elements. All rooms are rich in light due to offered sunlight by concavo-convex shape plan and different roofs. We can feel inside-space like passing through under some mountains in clinic. This building could be seemed such as villages from people walking along riverbed.

Y Clinic by Kimitaka Aoki

It's important to for us to consider environmental interrelationship. We strongly desire that the clinic is loved by neighborhood inhabitant and as new symbol in this local area. Although architecture actually has fate as huge artifact, we have to design new architecture which could be integrated environment. Its “scenery” may be called as “new nature (semi-nature)” through their times and affection. It could be new shape of future clinic.

Y Clinic by Kimitaka Aoki

Architects: kimitaka aoki / ARCO architects

Location: tsuchiura , ibaraki , Japan

Architect In Charge : kimitaka aoki

Structural Engineer : yasuhiro kaneda

Area: 198.9 sqm

Year: 2013.03

Photographs: Ippei Shinzawa

Y Clinic by Kimitaka Aoki

Above: site plan

Y Clinic by Kimitaka Aoki

Above: floor plan

Y Clinic by Kimitaka Aoki

Above: long section

Y Clinic by Kimitaka Aoki

Above: short section