Klein Dytham Architecture Opens First Home for All in Noto Earthquake Zone

Last weekend, Mark Dytham and his firm Klein Dytham architecture (KDa) opened the first Home for All (HFA) project, which they had designed in the small, remote town of Noroshimachi. He was joined by Marie-Claire, Head of Trade at the British Embassy Tokyo, and Mike Blyth, British Consulate-General Osaka.

This community-centred project on the most distant tip of the Noto Peninsula, supporting residents affected by the 2024 Noto earthquake, builds on the legacy of Home for All, originally launched after the 2011 Tōhoku disaster, where KDa built a HFA in Soma City, and remain active board members of the NPO. These projects offer safe, welcoming communal hubs that foster resilience and community.

Klein Dytham architecture, in collaboration with HFA, started working with the local community in May 2023. Strategically positioned beside temporary housing units, it provides a shared gathering space for survivors, bridging the gap between crisis response and long-term community rebuilding.

The building draws inspiration from the traditional architecture of the region and features 3,000 ‘kawara’ roof tiles, which were rescued from buildings that collapsed in the earthquake.

The project emphasises human-centred design rooted in empathy, with a vision to create structures that not only shelter but also nurture community bonds, facilitate dialogue, and serve as catalysts for regeneration.

Home for All Noroshimachi exemplifies Japan’s innovative post-disaster architecture—it’s more than a building, it’s a beacon of hope. By blending thoughtful design with local participation, it strengthens the social fabric and supports a sustainable path forward for affected communities.

The Nippon Foundation generously funded the project, but the support of the British Embassy and BCCJ has been invaluable in bringing a new focus and energy to the area. This is the first of six HFA which will be built in the region.

Photos by Sakikika Matsuda