Miyato-jima reconstruction project | SANAA

The 2012 architecture biennale director david chipperfield has selected SANAA to be part of the 'common ground' exhibition in the arsenale. Kazuyo sejima of SANAA has been the 2010 biennale director. together with ryue nishizawa, they display a post-disaster reconstruction plan for the island of miyato-jima, japan, positioned to the north and east of sendai. Devastated by the tohoku earthquake and tsunami, approximately half of the 260 homes were destroyed, forcing the residents to move to elevated ground. initiated by the architectural duo, the reconstruction efforts are a pro bono project. An expansive topographic site model currently spans the interior of the arsenal, a technique used during the process to allow the public to be involved in the efforts. discussion and an awareness of topography can offer relief from the trauma caused by the disaster. Light blue represents the tsunami affected area and pink are in a safe area above the 10 meter line. green is a forest preservation zone. white homes are new housing, brown represent existing and yellow are common and working facilities. existing roads are in yellow tape and gray are new roads. white trees are for breakwaters and colored trees are phytoremediation meadows.