About

Protecting my own time, I approach my work with the same care and attentiveness as breathing. Since becoming independent at the age of 30, I have worked with more than 100 clients.

Now in my fifties, I have come to feel more deeply the weight and preciousness of the “remaining time” shared by myself and those I love.

One year in youth and one year at this stage of life carry entirely different meanings and values. I have naturally come to feel that I wish to spend the time ahead with greater care, one moment at a time.

For me, this quality of time is the essential foundation for cultivating homes that are deeply rooted in their place. The accumulation of such time is quietly reflected in the way light enters, wind passes through, the distance from the garden, and even the breathing of those who live there. To remain sincere in each encounter, I intentionally limit the number of projects I undertake and choose to engage with architecture at a pace that allows depth and care.

In doing so, I seek to engage in deep dialogue with each project, taking the time to shape architecture rooted in its place.

For me, valuing time is an irreplaceable choice— one that preserves sincerity toward clients and quietly nurtures the quality of architecture. I hope to work with those who seek a quiet home and who wish for architecture that deepens in value over time.

If something here has touched your heart, please share your thoughts and wishes for your home. Regardless of scale, every project begins with listening to your story.
We would be honored to hear from you.

Ikuyo Nakama

Ikuyo Nakama
Representative director
 First-class architect

1995
Graduated from the construction engineering course of engineering department, Ryukyu University
1997
Worked at architect office in Okinawa as an architect and site supervisor
2002
Established own office
2015
Restructured organization as IKUYO NAKAMA ARCHITECT DESIGN OFFICE inc.
2016-2020
Urasoe city architecture examination committee member
2019-2020
Okinawa Prefecture Designated Manager System Operation Committee member
2017-
Cabinet Office government property Okinawa regional council committee
2021-
Committee member of cultural properties protection commission, Kin Town

Award record

2005
Prize of house architecture at Okinawa Society of Architects & Building Engineers
Awarded prize of reviewer's prize “A house of granny who lives in rainbow”
2010
Prize of Architecture Kyushu at Architectural Institute of Japan
Awarded encouraging prize “Kunigami House”
2013
Prize of Architecture Kyushu at Architectural Institute of Japan
Awarded honorable prize “Sh-house”
2013
Prize of Architecture Kyushu at Architectural Institute of Japan
Awarded encouraging prize “Mk-House”
2016
Organized by Okinawa Architectural Award Planning Committee
The second Okinawa architectural award
Main prize “Hrf-house”
2018
“Omn-house” awarded Incentive Award at the Fourth Okinawa Architectural Award
hosted by Okinawa Prefecture Architectural Award Executive Committee
2019
Japan Commercial Environment Design Association (JCD)
JCD OKINAWA Spatial Design Award 2019
Silver Prize “Hrf-house” Prize Winning “Omn-house”
2021

Japan Institute of Design Promotion Good Design Award “Ak-house”

Prize of Architecture Kyushu at Architectural Institute of Japan
Awarded encouraging prize “Ak-House”

Japan Commercial Environment Design Association (JCD)
JCD OKINAWA Spatial Design Award 2021
Gold Prize “Ak-house”

2024
RTF Awards GLOBAL ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN AWARDS
- Private Residence Category
Excellence Award “Ak-house”