Timber community centre by Van Der Architects built in earthquake-hit Japanese town
This wooden community centre in the earthquake-affected Japanese town of Yamada, by Dutch studio Van Der Architects, features a semi-opaque glass wall and an artificial grass playground (+ slideshow).
![Orandajima House by Vander Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/08/Orandajima_House_by_Vander_Architects_dezeen_468_2.jpg)
Following the destructive earthquake and tsunami of March 2011 that destroyed low-lying areas in the Shimohei District, Van Der Architects was invited to join a group of businesses assembled by the Netherlands chamber of Commerce in Japan to support the reconciliation effort.
Yamada Bay is the site of an island where a Dutch ship landed in 1643 and the town has maintained strong ties with the Netherlands, which joined other nations in offering aid and resources to help with the rebuild.
![Orandajima House by Vander Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/08/Orandajima_House_by_Vander_Architects_dezeen_468_8.jpg)
Architect Martin van der Linden was asked to design a community centre and after-school facility named Oranda-jima, or Holland Island , after the location where the boat was anchored.
![Orandajima House by Vander Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/08/Orandajima_House_by_Vander_Architects_dezeen_468_1.jpg)
The 200-square-metre structure is designed to accommodate approximately 60 children and provides a variety of play areas and facilities, including a music room and tatami room that can also be used by the community.
![Orandajima House by Vander Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/08/Orandajima_House_by_Vander_Architects_dezeen_468_3.jpg)
Comprising two single-storey wings angled along the edges of a stripy artificial grass play mat, the design features large multipurpose spaces at its centre, with rooms dedicated to specific functions positioned at either end.
![Orandajima House by Vander Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/08/Orandajima_House_by_Vander_Architects_dezeen_468_4.jpg)
"The building follows the programmatic requirements in a linear way, however, instead of designing a long rectangular building we decided to twist the building into itself thus creating a space that feels safe and enclosing," said the architect.
![Orandajima House by Vander Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/08/Orandajima_House_by_Vander_Architects_dezeen_468_11.jpg)
The facility was constructed by a local contractor from timber donated by Canada Wood, an organisation that promotes the use of Canadian lumber in international projects.
![Orandajima House by Vander Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/08/Orandajima_House_by_Vander_Architects_dezeen_468_5.jpg)
"We decided on using wood as, from a design point of view, it expresses well the image that I wanted to create with the building; a simple, silent structure, designed from the inside out," explained Van der Linden.
![Orandajima House by Vander Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/08/Orandajima_House_by_Vander_Architects_dezeen_468_9.jpg)
Large windows along the front of the main hall look out onto a sheltered terrace with a table and benches, which flanks the playground.
![Orandajima House by Vander Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/08/Orandajima_House_by_Vander_Architects_dezeen_468_6.jpg)
The shorter of the two wings houses toilet facilities, a library and a kitchen area. These are lined up along a corridor, flanked by a glass wall that is lined with a translucent and reflective sheet.
![Orandajima House by Vander Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/08/Orandajima_House_by_Vander_Architects_dezeen_468_12.jpg)
During the day, the wall provides gentle reflections of the playground, while at night illumination from within casts shadows onto the surface.
![Orandajima House by Vander Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/08/Orandajima_House_by_Vander_Architects_dezeen_468_10.jpg)
A library space at the end of the corridor features a skylight and a window covered in white polycarbonate. Trees planted behind cast patterned shadows across the surface, similar to those created on Japanese rice-paper screens.
![Orandajima House by Vander Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/08/Orandajima_House_by_Vander_Architects_dezeen_468_15.jpg)
The building's main entrance leads through a vestibule, with a small walled garden visible through a window at the end. Cloakroom facilities are positioned behind curved walls next to the entrance, while the office, tatami room and music room are positioned opposite.
![Orandajima House by Vander Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/08/Orandajima_House_by_Vander_Architects_dezeen_1.gif)
![Orandajima House by Vander Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/08/Orandajima_House_by_Vander_Architects_dezeen_4.gif)
![Orandajima House by Vander Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/08/Orandajima_House_by_Vander_Architects_dezeen_2.gif)
![Orandajima House by Vander Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/08/Orandajima_House_by_Vander_Architects_dezeen_3.gif)
![Orandajima House by Vander Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/08/Orandajima_House_by_Vander_Architects_dezeen_0.gif)