The purpose of this study is to analyze the characteristics of current floor plan of the houses that are holding a traditional "Hounensai" festival in Yaeyama Islands and to clarify a transformation of the current floor plan in comparison to the floor plan of a traditional house. As a result, we can examine a transformation of the current floor plan through the following changes: 1) the corridor is established beside the Nibanza, 2) the kitchen, bathroom, and restroom are placed inside, 3) the entrance hall is set up, 4) the corridor is located in Uraza and serving as a private room. In contrast, it is traditional to post Ichibanza and Nibanza facing a garden and also facing south, to situate a master bedroom or a nursery in Uraza, to position Toko in Ichibanza, and to place the Butsudan in Nibanza. The condition of Uraza has improved since a corridor has been established, and it has become a private room, however, the physical environmental condition of ventilation and lighting is not well compared to Omoteza. In addition, it has become evident that the guest room on the south side incorporate pleasant environmental condition. Based on the results of the previous report and the present study, we can observe a continuity of inside and outside space of a house, such as, "site entrance - garden as festival space - house opening - Omoteza." It can be implied that 'Hounensai' festival influenced the floor plan greatly and is the major factor of transformation.
View full abstract