Yamada Architectural Corp

For people's physical and spiritual wellness

OUR CORE DESIGN VALUES

Serenity + Clean Air + Outdoor Connection

Above: view of second floor family loft space in En-Haus™. Designed to enhance indoor-outdoor connection. Side yard garden view is framed by the roof overhang. Ceilings and walls are coated in diatomaceous earth, a traditional air purifying material. The structure is an exposed wooden post & beam system consists of built-up 2x lumbers. Bolts are set in parallel to wall length direction in order to avoid thermal bridging.

Serenity:

Architecture that allows moments of serenity in people's daily life.

...by building envelope (soundproofing) design

LEFT: Medi-Pod™'s acoustic wall construction cutaway model view: The acoustic wall construction consists of staggered wall studs, R26 super insulation, and additional layer of drywall attached to furring channels for optimal sound isolation. Similar furred drywall layer detailing is added to roof/ceiling construction to supplement the modest acoustic performance of SIP (Structural Insulated Panels) roof panels. In addition, Mei-Pod uses acoustic trickle ventilators on multiple sides to achieve both 'serenity' and 'clean air.'

...by uncluttered space

LEFT: Medi-Pod™' Storage bar.

From early design phase, we address storage / organizing needs to create uncluttered space. Uncluttered space are not only calming but also easier to clean, which contributes to good indoor air quality.

Clean Air:

Architecture that is comfortable to breathe.

Most people spend over 90% of their time indoors. ( American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology)
Indoor air is often two to five times more polluted than outdoor air. (U.S. EPA)

Indoor air can be polluted by toxic volatile organic compounds (VOC) such as formaldehyde from modern building materials and furnishings. Healthy clean air is one of fundamentals to human wellness. We approach this issue as follows.

...by Ventilation

Above LEFT: Medi-pod™ section diagram shows air flow and trickle ventilator locations. Above RIGHT: En-Haus™ cross section shows air flows. In both designs the air flows makes passive cooling effect. Windows are placed & sized not only just for views but also to create natural air paths.

LEFT: Acoustic trickle ventilator example.

Our deigns also employ trickle ventilators to achieve continuous controlled ventilation. (It means even when all windows are closed, there's natural ventilation for your breathing comfort, all the time. ) Trickle ventilators are a solution for indoor air quality in energy efficient air-tight buildings. (such as passive house.) It allow a certain amount of air flow continuously to keep the indoor air fresh & clean. For us it is an essential item to be combined with non-VOC interiors in the energy efficient green buildings of our time.

...by traditional finish material

LEFT: Medi-Pod interior perspective view shows Diatomaceous earth interior wall coating . UPPER RIGHT: microscopic view of diatomaceous earth. LOWER RIGHT: diatomaceous earth in larger scale views.

A traditional Japanese wall material revived by today's technology. Diatomaceous earth is a naturally occurring ,soft, sedimentary rock consists of fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of hard-shelled algae. Diatoms cell structure forms a high porosity that absorbs air pollutants and excess water vapor. Our designs use this coating extensively on interior walls & ceilings. Available in 60 colors. It can be machine-sprayed. To learn more about diatomaceous earth coating, request samples, or ordering the product, please contact Shikoku International's office in Orange, California. Their phone# is 714-978-0347 ext. 12. To send an e-mail to Shikoku International, please click here.

Outdoor Connection:

Architecture that allows people to experience the beauty of nature and to connect with community.

Many of California’s mild climate zones allow us to create gardens that serve as outdoor living room where one can enjoy private relaxing moments as part of everyday life. Our designs incorporate

...by opening to outdoors and

Above LEFT: Ground floor perspective of En-Haus™. Kitchen, dining, and living space open to the side yard. Above RIGHT: En-Haus™ cross section. Both ground level and second floor level engage with side yard garden. The top level mezzanine has its own deck open to the sky. Throughout the house, skylights provide daylighting & natural ventilation.

...by comfortable common space

...and Other Basic Design Values

Longevity
Life Cycle Cost Efficiency

Buildings are our society’s asset. They are infrastructure for generations of people’s lives, economy, and culture. Throughout the project process we architects play a uniquely effective role to address buildings’ basic performances as infrastructure. These include longevity, economy, and occupants’ health, and comfort. For us, aesthetic is not just pleasant imagery because building performances are integral ingredients to aesthetic.

Longevity:

Architecture that lasts longer to serve more people.

No matter how green a new building may be, its failure would create massively adverse impact on the environment, canceling the original 'green' intent. Thus building longevity combined with low maintenance are the key component of green building practice. We approach this value by enhancing moisture control design

...by addressing moisture control

LEFT: an example of window head detail in a rainscreen wall. ( Lafayette Library & Learning Center , courtesy of Killefer Flammang Architects.) A way to address exterior water intrusion.

In this example, 'rainscreen' cladding is attached to the exterior wall leaving 1" air space from the vapor barrier. The cladding act as first defense line against rainwater intrusion. Any water get past behind it will be stopped by the vapor barrier, the second line of defense. The water on the vapor barrier would run down and be drained out by the window head flashing, Note the vent gap between the flashing and the cladding bottom edge. In combination with this vent gap and other holes on the cladding, the air space behind the exterior cladding allows air movements which, in turn, mitigate the driving forces that trigger water intrusion into the building.

Life Cycle Cost Efficiency:

Architecture that utilizes local climate &daylight.

The real cost of buildings are not just design & construction but also includes operation cost, maintenance & repair cost, and demolition cost at the end of the building's life. Life cycle cost means all these costs combined together. In order to achieve Life cycle cost efficiency, buildings can become more responsive to local climate, utilizing it as the source of indoor environment control. Energy efficiency often reduces operation cost at a rate where initial construction cost increase will be paid off within reasonable time. Our designs incorporate the following energy efficiency techniques.

...by passive climate control

LEFT: S House cross section diagram shows a basic passive solar design technique and natural stack ventilation path incorporated in the design.

....by daylighting

LEFT: Medi-Pod™ interior view, showing daylighting from operable skylight. We incorporate daylighting early in design process. It reduces lighting energy use. It can also arouse sense of outdoors when captured by architectural elements.

....by energy efficient building systems

LEFT: a detail showing under floor supply air plenum.( Lafayette Library & Learning Center , courtesy of Killefer Flammang Architects.) The floor plenum is a component of efficient HVAC system. It requires less duct work and less fan power to distribute air. And less energy is spent in heating & cooling due to proximity to occupants. Other building systems such as electrical wiring, data communication cables are installed in the plenum. The actual floor are built over the plenum by module access flooring system consists of pedestals and detachable floor panels. This allows easy access to wiring in the plenum for modifications & maintenance thus provides flexible use over the life of building.