NAKIJIN, Okinawa -- More than 200 impressive red columns at a public hall here have been letting the soothing ocean breezes blow through for almost half a century.

The Nakijinson Central Public Hall in the village of Nakijin, Okinawa Prefecture, is a favorite place of relaxation and recreation for locals. The unique single-story facility was jointly designed by two groups of architects -- Atelier Zo and Atelier Mobile -- and was built in 1975 in cooperation with villagers.

All the rooms sit beneath a single U-shaped roof, and there are no walls between the perimeter columns supporting the eaves, allowing the wind to blow through the corridors and open spaces. There is a stage-like platform at one corner of the building, which can be used in a variety of ways depending on what inspiration strikes. Walking through the corridors, seashell art embedded in the concrete floor here and there catches the eye. One reason the public hall is rooted so firmly in the area is that these artistic touches were the work of villagers themselves from children to the elderly.

When the hall was completed, its roof was covered with plants, which softened the sunlight and contrasted with the red columns. The greenery on the roof is gone because it was difficult to maintain due to typhoons and other reasons, but many columns that had been fading have been repainted in recent years, restoring the building to its former glory.

(Japanese original by Shinnosuke Kyan, Kyushu Photo and Video Department)

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The Japanese version of this article was originally published on June 26, 2022.

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