[Noto Reconstruction] "Iida no Minna no Ie" Opens in Suzu City Shopping District

"Iida no Minna no Ie" has been developed as a new base for NPO Gakusou, which has been working to create spaces for learning and exchange in the community since before the earthquake, and opened in April 2026.

Built on a long, narrow site where a framing shop once stood in the shopping district, the space is designed like an alleyway, with various gathering places for all generations, including raised floor seating, a kitchen, and a studio. The roof is covered with traditional black tiles rescued from demolished houses, and old timber is used for the pillars and counter. Handmade adobe bricks are self-built on the interior and exterior walls, and antique furniture is placed in various locations, creating a building that, while new, has deep connections to the memories of the local people.

"Iida no Minna no Ie" is the second project in the "Noto no Minna no Ie" project, which has been promoted by NPO HOME-FOR-ALL, headed by architect Toyo Ito, since 2024. It was selected for the Japan Foundation's "Community Gathering Space" grant, with NPO Gakusou serving as the operating entity. The design was handled by PERSIMMON HILLS architects, and the project was realized with the support of the local government, residents, and many companies and organizations.

© Yasuhito Nakayama

Key Features of "Iida no Minna no Ie"

NPO Gakusou, which has been involved in community development, including operating a terakoya (temple school) since before the earthquake, took over the former framing shop site in the shopping district and developed a gathering space. A trial to connect Noto's traditions and people's memories to the future by reusing black tiles, old timber, and earthen walls rescued from demolished houses. Various spaces for all generations, from children to adults, are scattered throughout (raised floor seating, kitchen, studio, raised floor seating, free space, coworking).

Floor plans for the 1st and 2nd floors © PERSIMMON HILLS architects

Architectural Photos

© Yasuhito Nakayama

Surrounding Environment and Exterior

Panoramic view of the Iida-cho shopping district where the site is located. Adjacent is a garden created through the "One Flower Per Person Movement."

Black tiles on the roof (lower roof section), clapboard siding and handmade adobe bricks on the exterior walls. Illuminating the town like lanterns.

1st Floor (Eaves, Raised Floor Seating, Kitchen, Studio)

Generous eaves that can also serve as a workshop. Old timber used for pillars. An alley-like space extending to the back. Raised floor seating in the foreground.

Kitchen with a counter made of old timber. Stairs to the second floor.

Open studio for classes and workshops. View from the raised floor seating space at the very back.

2nd Floor (Free Space, Coworking)

Free space enclosed by a vaulted ceiling created with stairs and DIY bookshelves.

The townscape can be viewed from the open second floor. Coworking space for focused work.

Process of Completion

© PERSIMMON HILLS architects

Reuse of old timber recovered from demolished houses. Topping ceremony with local residents participating. Adobe brick production.

Completion Ceremony (April 12, 2026)

© HOME-FOR-ALL

The Mayor of Suzu City, the Vice Governor of Ishikawa Prefecture, the Director of the Japan Foundation, along with related parties, supporters, and local residents gathered to celebrate the opening. Local children also participated and performed the mirror-breaking ceremony on behalf of the adults. Speeches by Shintaro Kitazawa (NPO Gakusou / right), representative of the operating entity, and Shuhei Hirooka (PERSIMMON HILLS architects / left), architect.

"Iida no Minna no Ie" Overview

[Architectural Overview]

Location: Iida-cho, Suzu City, Ishikawa Prefecture

Site Area: 247.02 m2

Building Area: 157.01 m2

Total Floor Area: 229.5 m2

Use: Shop, Studio, Coworking, Residence

Completion Date: April 2026

[Credits]

Operation: NPO Gakusou

Design: Yusuke Kakigi + Shuhei Hirooka + Kohei Shimizu / PERSIMMON HILLS architects

Structure: Kenichi Inoue Structural Engineers

Construction: Iemoto

Grant: Japan Foundation ("Community Gathering Space" Project)

Cooperation: Kawara Bank, Hori Kawara Kogyo, Monochrome, Shin-dei Sawmill, Shinwa Gakuen Social Welfare Corporation, F-Lab, Osaka Expo UK Pavilion, VAN, Project to Build Towns from Wood, UK Ekiden

Planning: NPO HOME-FOR-ALL

About the "Noto no Minna no Ie" Project

In addition to the newly opened "Iida no Minna no Ie," a total of six projects are underway in Noto.

- "Okenami no Minna no Ie" (Okenami-cho, Suzu City, scheduled completion July 2025)

- "Iida no Minna no Ie" (Iida-cho, Suzu City, completed April 2026)

- "Saikai Minna no Ie" (Otani-cho, Suzu City, scheduled completion October 2026)

- "Hachigasaki no Minna no Ie" (Hachigasaki, Teshima-cho, Suzu City, scheduled completion December 2026)

- "Ukawa Minna no Banya" (Ukawa, Noto Town, scheduled completion June 2027)

- "Fukami Minna no Gakko" (Utilizing the former Fukami Elementary School in Fukami, Wajima City through change of use and renovation)

[Project Overview]

"'Minna no Ie' in the earthquake-affected areas of the Noto Peninsula" (Released October 2024)

[Inquiries Regarding This Release]

NPO HOME-FOR-ALL (Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Representative: Toyo Ito, Established 2014)

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.home-for-all.org/