MONOLITH In Fukuoka / SAKO Architects

Architects: SAKO Architects
Principal Architect: Keiichiro Sako
Area: 2,878 m²
Year: 2015
Photography: Tetsuya Yashiro
Architectural Design: SAKO Architects
Interior Design: SAKO Architects
Landscape Design: SAKO Architects
Lighting Design: BONBORI Lighting Architect & Associates, Inc.
City: Fukuoka
Country: Japan

MONOLITH in Fukuoka, by SAKO Architects, is an assisted living facility that integrates urban convenience with a nurturing environment. Completed in 2015, the project prioritizes accessibility to transportation and healthcare while fostering community interaction. The design features robust concrete exteriors with intricate textures, a sensory-stimulating pavilion, and a landscaped garden promoting seasonal engagement. The thoughtful integration of natural materials and minimalistic forms creates a peaceful and functional space for residents and visitors.

MONOLITH in Fukuoka, designed by SAKO Architects, presents a fresh approach to assisted living facilities by situating the project in a central urban location. A six-minute walk from Kurume Station, this setting prioritizes convenience, granting residents seamless access to public transportation, healthcare services, and nearby family visits. The design promotes community integration, emphasizing openness and accessibility.

The building is strategically placed on the southern side of the site, optimizing space and enabling a one-way traffic flow that simplifies vehicle movement. An 11 by 6-meter canopy shelters visitors during drop-offs and pick-ups, ensuring comfortable access in all weather. Open spaces on the site have been utilized for parking and a garden, designed as a communal asset that connects the facility with its surroundings. The L-shaped layout invites free passage, fostering integration with the urban fabric.

A primary design focus was sensory engagement and connection to the natural world. The garden, composed of 36 squares ranging from 1.6 to 4.6 meters per side, integrates features such as flower beds, lawns, water elements, benches, and a pavilion. These elements encourage exploration and interaction, allowing residents to experience the changing seasons within a secure and comforting environment.

The pavilion is a cube-shaped structure with rhythmic openings that create a dynamic interplay of light and shadow. This space offers a sensory-rich experience for residents and visitors alike, serving as a place of relaxation and a focal point in the garden.

Exposed concrete dominates the exterior, chosen for its durability and ability to withstand seismic events. Custom formwork introduces a fine stripe-like texture to the surface, softening the material’s appearance while concealing dirt, and reducing maintenance needs. Fly ash concrete was used to enhance structural integrity and minimize cracking, ensuring the building’s longevity.

Inside, the design embraces warmth through a neutral palette of white and brown. Wooden accents in the entrance hall replicate the exterior’s striped texture, providing continuity in design. Natural materials, such as wood for handrails and handles, were prioritized over synthetic alternatives, offering a tactile connection that enhances the interior’s sense of calm.

The project transforms simple concrete forms—a tube-shaped main building and a cube-like pavilion—into a cohesive architectural expression. By incorporating textured surfaces, thoughtful openings, and natural materials, SAKO Architects have softened the structure’s starkness, creating a peaceful and inviting monolith for residents and visitors.

Reflecting on the design, Keiichiro Sako remarked, “I believe I have successfully achieved my goal: creating an assisted living facility where I would feel comfortable entrusting my own parent.”