Posts Tagged ‘japanese architecture’
Apartment By Weekday, Antique Shop By Weekend
December 8th, 2012 – Every Saturday and Sunday an eclectic Japanese man transforms a portion of his tiny home into an exclusive Scandinavian antiques shop called FIKA, which translates to “coffee break” in Swedish. The ability to transform the home is credited to the versatile architects at ON Design Partners, who created a private sliding door entrance for patrons to enter into the shop from the back of the house, then a massive white two story shelving unit separates the home from the shop – and provides display for the vintage Scandinavian pieces to be sold.
One of the design goals for ON was to create a more intimate shopping experience, a way for consumers to escape the bustling marketplaces on the streets of Toshima, a small town directly outside Tokyo. This is not a one stop shop! FIKA is a place where antique lovers get a refined and fruitful buying/selling engagement on the weekends, then on the weekdays, the business savvy shop owner closes FIKA’s doors and quietly enjoys the rest of his 355-square-foot home.
(Photography Courtesy of: ON Design Partners)
NA House By Sou Fujimoto, Tokyo
We have been fascinated by the works of Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto for quite some time now, but his most recent NA House in Tokyo is beyond captivating! The multi-level home is based on a split-level steel frame construction with transparent glazing, but without a full set of stairs, yep, rub your eyes and re-read the previous statement. The Na house is formed of levels, close to one another – steps. Fujimoto also added movable furniture which can double as steps when put into certain locations. The idea of the home is that each generic surface can be used for numerous functions; a desk can become a table, bench, or even a bed!
(Photography: Sou Fujimoto)
The Radial Office By Sako
Ever wondered what it would be like to live betwixt the pages a Pantone color book? Well now you can get a glimpse. Sako Architect’s new Radial office in Beijing has left no PMS color ignored. Slick, lacquered white surfaces meet bright pops of crimson, fuchsia and lime green in a striking contrasting stripes throughout the office space. Biomorphic, curvilinear seating undulates in waves, cascading down steps in a cornucopia of hues. Illuminated rings of light dangle playfully from the ceiling like fishing lures in an incandescent rainbow underworld. We’re hooked.
(Photography Credits: Sako Architects)
