Kitakami's "Itakura Method" For Wood Construction

Architecture for Humanity

November 22, 2012

For the Paper Cranes for Japan Challenge, the Architecture for Humanity team provided on-the-ground reports from Japan.

Words and images by Architecture for Humanity Japan Team Design Fellow Akinobu Yoshikawa

Mr. Sugihara (chief carpenter for this project doing the woodwork) and his crew of carpenters from Saitama, Kanagawa have arrived, bringing with them the pre-assembled pieces that would become the Youth center of this project.

Electrician

The youth center is built using a unique method called the "Itakura Method." Once the posts are up, a pre-assembled board is slotted between to form the perimeter of the building. In only a quick few days, the Youth center took shape.

In the meantime, studs are up, window frames shipped and are in place. The exterior wall finish and color were also reviewed and approved by the owner (Ms. Naomi Saito) today.