Category — Architecture

What a cool daycare space. Kiddy Shonan C/X (C-Cross) opened last year in the Shonan bayside area of Kanagawa. Designed by Makoto Tanijiri (Suppose Design Office) the space features numerous houses under a single wide-open space. Each house is designated for a certain activity – art, music and dance. Even the bathrooms are housed within their own house. The individual spaces come together to form a miniature community, helping to foster a sense of citizenship, as well as stimulating curiosity and sensibilities.

Kiddy Shonan is located (Gmap) on the 2nd floor of the Ozawa Takagi building, a short walk from Tsujido Station.

source: Suppose Design Office website

What an amazing pharmacy designed by Osaka-based architecture studio Ninkipen. Completed in November of last year, the store represents the latest addition to the Kansai-based Global Pharmacy chain. What’s enthralling (and what I would like to know more about) is that, according to the architects, the store was built on an old road that had been illegally occupied since the end of WWII, hence it’s narrow width – just 4 meters. The architects attempted to preserve history within their designs by creating an elongated store that mimics the look of a road.

Osaka is well-known – notorious, if you will – for their illegally occupied spaces. They were often utilized by black markets and other dark forces who continued to elude the reach of government and authority, even into modern times. I wonder what this space was previously used as?

Looking out from the store you can still see where the road is rounded off – the remnants of an intersection

source: Ninkipen

the home features a dramatic “stage” above the kitchen that pours in tons of sunlight as if someone rolled up the awnings on the sun

Ever since Bunzo Ogawa completed his public restrooms project in 2010 I’ve been a huge fan of his fantastic work. The architect’s latest home, which was just uploaded to his website, is no exception. Titled “Light Stage House” and located in Hiroshima, the home features a dramatic “stage” above the kitchen that pours in tons of sunlight as if someone rolled up the awnings on the sun.

The rounded details of the home and its curvaceous figure give it a futuristic spaceship-quality. What a great space to totally lose yourself in.

The home was completed in mid-2011 but just recently uploaded to the architects’ website. Despite being built on just a 30-tsubo plot of land – a little over 1000 sq ft – it’s impressive what the architect dud to give it such an airy feel and so much sunlight.

source: Bunzo Ogawa’s website

photos by Koichi Torimura | click to enlarge

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The abstract, white exterior contrasts nicely with the exposed concrete of the interior. It’s as if conventional urban landscape was reversed.

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Even if you only have a 13.5-tsubo (480 sq ft) plot of land to work with, if you are creative you can legally achieve up to 19-tsubo (675 sq ft) of living space, says Sanpei Junichi, architect of House Tokyo. The white, abstract structure was completed in earlier this year and was inspired by an analytical reading of Tokyo – her streets and the relative relationship between the people who use them.

The façade is coated with a thin layer of insulation and all the openings feature a perforated metal blindfold. The intention was not to create a break between interior and exterior but rather to increase the sense of openness from within. The abstract, white exterior contrasts nicely with the exposed concrete of the interior. It’s as if conventional urban landscape was reversed.

I love the concrete table that protrudes out of the wall.

Source: Sanpei Junichi’s website

images courtesy YKDW | click to enlarge

It’s bustling but don’t call it a restaurant. It’s comforting but don’t call it a café. Located in Yokohama, Sakae is a restaurant that was engineered and designed around human interaction an experience. The space, which was designed by Kentaro Yamazaki (YKDW), features a single communal dining table situated right next to the kitchen.

With an emphasis on local, organic ingredients, Sakae offers what they like to call, “something different.” Whether it’s a new appreciation, a new point of view or a new discovery, the space is intended to mix a new ingredient into you daily routine, whether you like it or not.

I’ve always found communal tables idealistic in nature but rather awkward when executed. I can’t say I’m a particular fan of the concept but the elegant and minimal space is tempting me to give it another shot.

The herbs and flowers that appear to sprout out of the table are the work of botanic artist Makoto Azuma and total artistic direction for the space was done by Yu Shigematsu. Although there are events and activities going on during the day, the space as a restaurant usually only functions during the evening. Check out their website to make reservations or plan a visit.

Source: YKDW website

Photos by Daici Ano / Torafu Architects | click to enlarge

Last month architecture duo Torafu Architects (Koichi Suzuno and Shinya Kamuro) completed a PR Room in Tokyo for the global sports brand Nike. Comprised of 3 different spaces – entrance,  initiative and stock space – the architects utilized aluminum fins with interchangeable graphics in order to create an flexible environment where display walls coexist with large graphic branding.

Such great attention to detail: the sneaker sole pattern carved into the flooring. Check out all our stories on Torafu.

Source:  Torafu’s website

The title pretty much says it all. Here are my favorite Japanese residential homes of 2011 that, for one reason or another, did not make it to the blog. They’re in no particular order. Enjoy!

1. Villa in Hayama

designed by Kazuyo Sejima

2. WAREHOUSE

Designed by Shinichi Ogawa

3. Minna no Ie

Designed by Mamm-Design

4. Static Quarry

Designed by Ikimono Architects

5. Outside In

Designed by Takeshi Hosoka

6. House S

Designed by Keiji Ashizawa

images courtesy japan-architects | click to enlarge

Currently on display at the LivingDesign Center Ozone is a gigantic house-like styrofoam structure designed by architect Makoto Tanijiri of Suppose Design Office. Dubbed “You Make The Rule” [sic], the cavernous structure has seemingly random objects placed throughout its nooks and crannies. Accordingly, it’s intended to question our preconceived notions of household objects, as well as their respective names and intended uses.

But instead of providing any further commentary, Tanijiri encourages the viewerto make their own rules – interacting and interpreting the piece themselves. Therefore, I will happily end this blog post right here.
You Make The Rule is on display through Jan 31, 2012.

source: japan-architects

architectural model for Ryue Nishizawa’s House & Garden

When this architectural model surfaced back in 2006, as beautiful as it was, it was hard to visualize what kind of home would actually take root in Tokyo. And after several years of silence it appeared the model was just another overly-ambitious architectural venture that got shelved away. Well, finally images of iconic architect Ryue Nishizawa’s House & Garden have appeared. And I’m happy to report – it’s real.

Photos by Iwan Bann | click to enlarge

With all its green and glory, the 4-story structure lacks many things that most people require in a home. For one thing, the glaring omission of a façade, which is likely to cause onlookers to mistake it for a vertical garden rather than a private residence. There are no interior walls either. The architect instead opted for floor-to-ceiling windows, curtains and planters to serve is elusive boundaries between spaces.

On one of the floors there is even a layer of thin soil that replaces actual flooring, further blurring the transition between inside and out.

Ryue Nishizawa is one half of the Pritzker-winning architectural duo SANAA. While Nishizawa was working on his solo project Garden & Home, his partner Kazuyo Sejima was working on her own solo project: Shibaura House.

Source: domus

Photos by Toshiyuki Yano | click to enlarge

Kimihiko Okada has recently put the finishing touches on Toda House, a private residence in Hiroshima that resembles a continuous swirling coil pot. The structure is perched above ground like a bird’s nest, giving birth to some breathtaking views of the Inland Sea, creating a sense of security and also distancing the home from common ground-level disturbances. The home itself is comprised a a single continuous slab that spirals around once, is penetrated by a staircase, then spirals around again on elevated level, creating one long room. Not only does it create a dynamic space, but it also produces a lawn as well as leaves opportunities for further expanding the slab in the future.

I love the eclectic styling of the interior as well! It’s so rare to see something other than minimal concrete. Nice!

source: architecturephoto