Kobe is an advanced city that has imported overseas culture since opening its port in the early 1900's. "Kyu-Kyoryuchi" (the former foreign settlement) is especially known as a fashionable western-style area in Kobe. Old buildings have been highly valued in "Kyu-kyoryuchi", and have improved the look of its beautiful streets.

There was great damage in "Kyu-kyoryuchi" by the earthquake in 1995. The former residence of the Dyreﾕs, which had been known as a precious natural spot with much greenery, was also severely damaged.

While the Dyreﾕs had been planning to rebuild their house as a building for retail purposes a turning point had come. After careful discussion with Patagonia, it was decided to use ecological building technology for the new structure, in harmony with Patagoniaﾕs mission. Furthermore, the ecological building seemed to be a suitable concept in memory of the natural vegetation and greenery of the former Dyre residence. And it also is seemed to be a perfect opportunity to introduce a revolutionary concept for the re-building of "Kyu-kyoryuchi".

Now "Dyre108" is being planned to be an ecological building with the ideas below. (Some are already designed, while others are still under investigation for viability.)

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A)Resource/Energy
Ventilation(Under investigation)
A ventilation system with "cool tubes" in order to reduce the use of electric air-condition system for energy efficiency.

Utilization of Rainwater(Under investigation)
In order to increase water resource efficiency, a tank for rainwater is under discussion for watering plants.

B)Zero emission -Recycle/Reuse-
Outside wall with Jute (Under investigation)
Recycled jute of Koizumi Jute Mills LTD., known as the first jute mills in Japan, to be used as material for outside wall.

Reusing of furniture
It is being planned to reuse furniture, such as a toilet, hanging shelves, and a safe, which have been used by the Dyre's.

Reuse of lenses(Under investigation)
There is much leftover stock of lenses below quality standard. Those are under consideration to install on the floor to express our concept "Filtering of Light".

C)Renovation
The Garden
Reminiscent of the old garden, we plan to use old ornaments, such as stones and monuments, around the entrance of the new building.

The objet art of seashells
The objet art of seashells is a symbol for the Dyres who had conducted the trading of pearls. We are planning to reuse these shells and mother of pearl on the wall of the entrance hall.

Kiri (Japanese paulownia)
A tree of Kiri, in the old garden, will be recycled and designed as a chest of drawers by craftsmen.

D)Saving regional biotope
A maple tree and a camphor tree
(partly under discussion)
There were many trees planted in the old garden of the former residence of the Dyre's. To save the precious urban vegetation, we will re-plant a maple tree in front of the entrance hall. We also are discussing where to re-plant a camphor tree.

Planting on the roof (Under investigation)
Planting on the roof is under investigation, using many other plants from the old garden.