GOOD CYCLE BUILDING 001 Asanuma Corporation Nagoya Branch Office Renovation by Nori Architects and Asanuma Corporation
The Asanuma Corporation is promoting its first flagship project, the GOOD CYCLE BUILDING, a project to renovate a 30-year-old building into an environmentally friendly building. The existing building frame was utilized and modified to increase accessibility to natural light and wind, and new materials were added as much as possible using natural materials such as earth and wood, enabling the building users to participate in the construction and maintenance process.
The Asanuma Corporation is promoting its first flagship project, the GOOD CYCLE BUILDING, a project to renovate a 30-year-old building into an environmentally friendly building. The existing building frame was utilized and modified to increase accessibility to natural light and wind, and new materials were added as much as possible using natural materials such as earth and wood, enabling the building users to participate in the construction and maintenance process.
Inside and outside the building, soil materials were used for floors, walls, ceilings, and furniture. Raw materials were obtained from leftover soil in Aichi Prefecture. As long as amateurs participate in the finishing process, such as making marks with their fingers or throwing soil, the wall will be expressed "naturally" through human movement. Aside from the fact that earthen walls are not impure (petroleum-derived materials and cement are sometimes added to improve durability), they can also be applied for painting in the future and eventually returned to nature. In addition to the interior and exterior of the building as well as for furniture, fittings, and products, Japanese cedar from the Yoshino forest in Nara, which Asanuma Corporation manages sustainably, wharvested.ed. To minimize the amount of scrap wood generated, the front façade is built from Yoshino cedar logs with the largest diameter from a single tree. Existing stones and other materials used in existing buildings were repurposed as interior surfaces. Others were crushed into small pieces and hardened with plaster to be used as furniture surfaces. Urban waste was also used as a resource. A surface material made of waste plastic flakes that have been crushed and hardened by heating has been used to cover existing furniture, and a knitted fabric made of recycled polyester yarn has been used to wrap existing furniture.
A building functions as a "material bank" and is a transit point in the flow of materials. To maximize the possibility of re-using materials, it is imperative to use natural materials in a way that allows them to be separated from artificial materials, in order to maximize their effectiveness, and eventually return them to the earth. It is necessary to process existing man-made materials so that new materials can be created, making the most of their characteristics. By creating a delightful environment connected to the changing nature of light, wind, soil, trees, and plants, this project attempts to reconstruct buildings as part of the new material flow in the city, and to reposition architecture in a cycle that is good for people and the earth.
Planning & Drawing
Designer Profile
Norihisa KAWASHIMA
Principal at Nori Architects, Senior Assistant Professor at Meiji University
Registered Architect, JAPAN, Dr. Eng.
Born in Kanagawa prefecture in 1982, Kawashima graduated from the University of Tokyo in 2005, earned his master’ s degree from the University of Tokyo Graduate School in 2007, after which he was hired by Nikken Sekkei. Kawashima became a visiting scholar at University of California, Berkeley and worked with Prof. Dana Buntrock and LOISOS + UBBELOHDE in 2012. In 2014, Kawashima became an assistant professor at the Department of Architecture of Tokyo Institute of Technology. In 2016, Kawashima earned a doctor’s degree from the University of Tokyo Graduate School. In 2017, Kawashima established Nori Architects. In 2020, Kawashima became a senior assistant professor at Meiji University. Now Kawashima is a principal of Nori Architects and a principal of Regional Design Laboratory at Meiji University.
Representative works：Sony City Osaki [2011] , Diagonal Boxes [2016] , Yuji Yoshida Gallery / House [2017] , Saw-tooth Roofs in Ichinomiya[2017], REVZO Toranomon [2020] ,and GOOD CYCLE BUILDING 001 Asanuma Corporation Nagoya Branch Office Renovation[2021].
Representative awards: The Prize of Architectural Institute of Japan [Architectural Design], 1st Prize in the 7th Sustainable Housing Award from IBEC, 1st Prize in JIA Sustainable Architecture Award 2020, Good Design Award 2021 Good Design Best 100, Sky Design Awards 2021 THE NEW BLACK BRONZE and many others.
Music Hall in the Sky by Takuro Yamamoto Architects
Takuro Yamamoto Architects won the Bronze Award for Music Hall in the Sky at the Sky Design Awards 2022. In a residential area of Tokyo, Music Hall in the Sky is a small classical music concert hall with about 50 seats. It is surrounded by collective housing and three-story houses, but despite this, you can listen to music in an environment where only the sky can be seen outside the window because the adjacent houses cannot be seen from the hall's windows.
Takuro Yamamoto Architects won the Bronze Award for Music Hall in the Sky at the Sky Design Awards 2022.
In a residential area of Tokyo, Music Hall in the Sky is a small classical music concert hall with about 50 seats. It is surrounded by collective housing and three-story houses, but despite this, you can listen to music in an environment where only the sky can be seen outside the window because the adjacent houses cannot be seen from the hall's windows.
It is common for concert halls to be designed without windows. For staging reasons and sound insulation, concerts are generally separated from everyday life by having no windows in the hall, especially in large halls. A windowless hall, however, is inappropriate for a space that should be relaxing, because it creates a sense of captivity in the audience.
Architect Takuro Yamamoto also believed that if you could see the sky when looking lower than eye level, it would be a very unusual experience similar to looking out the window of a plane, and this would make you feel as if the whole building were surrounded by the sky instead of buildings. The mirror and the top light were combined to create a ribbon window at the foot of the stage. Listeners may enjoy concerts in this hall on a Sunday afternoon and escape everyday life for a while by watching the blue sky and floating clouds.
Drawing & Planning
Designer Profile
Takuro Yamamoto
Takuro Yamamoto Architects
Born in Shiga Prefecture in 1973. Though admitted to the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kyoto University, intending to design aircraft, he changed his track when he encountered architecture. After working with Nippon Electric Co., Ltd., he enrolled in the Department of Architecture, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University. Completing the master’s course in 2003, he joined Atelier Bow-Wow. Then, he established Takuro Yamamoto Architects in 2005. Worked as a part-time lecturer at Shibaura Institute of Technology from 2010 to 2014 and at Waseda University from 2013 to 2016.
ARCHITECTURAL SYNOPSIS:
Credits : Takuro Yamamoto Architects
Location :Tokyo
Use : Music Hall
Site Area : 140.57m2
Building Area : 84.16m2
Total Floor Area :188.91m2
Completion : November 2019
Structure : Reinforced Concrete + Steel
Client : a married couple
Architect : Takuro Yamamoto
Structure Design : Takashi Baba Structure Design Office
Acoustic Design : Nagata Acoustics
Construction : Shin Co., Ltd.
For more information: https://takuroyama.jp
S&N Resort, dreamlike land of peace and offering a hint of Zen.
Amidst mountains and trees, In S&N Resort is situated in West Dharma Village, Fangshan District, Beijing. Bodhidharma disciples of Shaolin Temple in Songshan of the twenty-eighth generation traveled all over the world, according to legend. Under the protection of Bodhidharma, they built temples, spread Buddhism, performed good deeds, and cured illness of local people in Baihuashan.
Amidst mountains and trees, In S&N Resort is situated in West Dharma Village, Fangshan District, Beijing. Bodhidharma disciples of Shaolin Temple in Songshan of the twenty-eighth generation traveled all over the world, according to legend. Under the protection of Bodhidharma, they built temples, spread Buddhism, performed good deeds, and cured illness of local people in Baihuashan. A mountain peak nearby is named Dharma Mountain, and the village is referred to as West Dharma Village in honor of the virtues of Dharma. A 1700 square-meter construction, originally built as a residential cluster, was replanned and redesigned. Through the center of the site, a stream flows gently down the mountain. Many trees grow in the water, surrounded by giant stones that have been eroded over time. The surrounding environment is natural and peaceful, depicting a dreamlike land of peace and offering a hint of Zen.
The design's emphasis on "wildness" and "luxury" offers people a place to escape urban routines and relax during holidays, returning their body and mind to nature. Designed in harmony with water, the new building has two stories. A natural landscape can be enjoyed from each room, creating a dialogue between man and nature. Planning and design echo the surrounding village form and relate closely to the context of the site. Design, villages, and the surrounding natural environment are all organic.
Architectural forms fluctuate according to the mountain's rises and falls. It combines the characteristics of southern and northern Chinese folk houses. A short distance from the site is the famous residential settlement known as Cuan, one of the most iconic stone typologies in north China. As a result, brick and stone provide a solid foundation for the building. A wooden structure on the second floor is based on the designs of Naxi folk houses in Yunnan, a southern province of China. As a result, the forms of folk house can be combined flexibly and grafted together in a modern context, breaking the boundaries of time and space.
Multiple aspects of the design are improved by the redesigned composition. Besides blocking moisture and stabilizing the foundation, the stone structure on the bottom helps give the building a sense of growth by organically integrating it with its surroundings. It is a perfect example of organic architecture. In addition to using stone building materials around the site, the construction is also carried out by local craftsmen. InsThis building embodies the spirit and character of the region by maintaining continuity and unity with its surroundings.bracing traditional residential forms, the sloping roof creates a subtle and relaxing atmosphere within the hotel. The two-story building is constructed of light and flexible wood, creating a natural and livable indoor environment. With the application of wood and stone, the space is filled with layers of pleasant qualities.
By connecting the hotel lobby and guest rooms across the water, guests are able to enjoy the attractive natural environment while stepping into the site. Hotel guests can choose from a total of 24 rooms, including rooms with views of the water or terraces. By making the building an integral part of the environment, the design maximizes the views around the site. The terraces are designed to allow guests to chat, drink tea, and enjoy the view during their stay in the outdoors. It is the perfect place to cool off in the hot summer months when the infinity pool is in the courtyard. Throughout the hotel, large French windows frame a variety of outdoor landscapes including red bricks, blue water, and green mountains, creating the impression of a live painting. In the hotel's interior, exposed stones only enhance the uniqueness of the generous space and create a low-profile, yet vibrant atmosphere. Inside the building, the elaborate design and art placement reflect the tastes and aesthetics of the Orient. Quietness and openness come easily in such an environment. It creates a pleasant holiday environment that encourages people to linger at night when the hotels' lighting and the landscape corridor complement each other. As the hotel is surrounded by beautiful mountain views and babbling streams, it projects a peaceful, calming, comfortable and relaxing atmosphere, interpreting what is known as extreme romance of wild luxury.
Diagram & Plans
Project profile:
Project Name: In S&N Resort
Location: Xidamo Village, Qingshui Town, Mentougou District, Beijing
Size: 1,700 m2
Category: Architecture, Landscape
Function: Hospitality
Duration: 2016 to 2021
Principal designers: Sun Dayong, Wan Shuyan
Design team: Penda China
Photographer: Xia Zhi
Imaise House - A high earthquake resistance residential in Japan
Japan is constantly affected by seismic and volcanic activity thanks to its location in the Circum-Pacific Mobile Belt. Despite covering just 0.25 percent of the earth's land area, Japan experiences 18.5% of the world's earthquakes. Geographically and physically, how the Japanese live and how they design safe living environments. For one of his clients, Tatsuya Kawamoto + Associates designed a high earthquake resistance residential building, which won the "New Black" Award in 2021.
Japan is constantly affected by seismic and volcanic activity thanks to its location in the Circum-Pacific Mobile Belt. Despite covering just 0.25 percent of the earth's land area, Japan experiences 18.5% of the world's earthquakes. Geographically and physically, how the Japanese live and how they design safe living environments. For one of his clients, Tatsuya Kawamoto + Associates designed a high earthquake resistance residential building, which won the "New Black" Award in 2021.
Generally, the main areas of a building need to be on the second floor since the structural walls needed on the first floor are reduced. The building should have "high earthquake resistance" as well as "open space."
By taking into consideration the surrounding environment of a "private road," the front road is a private property, and planning a space in which the inside and the outside are seamless, the designer aims to achieve maximum spatial volume within the given constraints.
The building has a simple and clear configuration with only an 8.0m-wide "frame" that provides both earthquake resistance and a large opening.
There was a unique community created around this "private road", which branched off the main road.
With the incorporation of local, unique characteristics that are different from each road into the living space, the designer thought it would be possible to contribute to regional development by establishing a favorable climate as a residential area for communities that could be made as a by-product of local industries.
A gate frame, in addition to its function as an earthquake-resistant element, also acts as a ruler that gives rhythm to the space by arranging at regular intervals and measuring the distance from the city, and by inserting rails into each frame, it can be private as desired.
By extending the eaves across the front road side and creating a continuous external space, it is anticipated that the resident will gradually spread out under the roof while making the most of the small parcel.
Mr. Kawamoto said: "Due to the surrounding environment, which was moderately protected by chance, we were able to live in the nearby land and use the road as a living space."
Construction methods like this have taken root in this area. By mixing the resident's demand, the structure designed to solve the problem, and these, it is made.Imaise House
Architectural Overview
Location : Ichinomiya Aichi Japan
Completion : November 2020
Principal use : House
Structure : Timber structure
Site area : 168.38㎡
Building area : 99.12㎡
Designer Profile
Tatsuya Kawamoto
1990 Born in Aichi,Japan
2012 ～ worked at Takeshi Hosaka Architects
2013 ～ worked at Hiroyuki Shinozaki Architects
2018 ～ established Tatsuya Kawamoto + Associates
AWARDS
2011 2nd prize of Japan institute of architects tokai branch architectural design competition award 28th
2012 2nd prize of Graduation design review
2013 3rd prize of Japan institute of architects tokai branch architectural design competition award 30th
2015 Fine work of Nisshin kogyo architectural design competition 2015
2016 2nd prize of Circos international architecture competition 2016
2017 Honorable mentions of Shinkenchiku residential design 2017
2017 4th prize of CLT idea contest 2017 Awards
2011 2nd prize of Japan institute of architects tokai branch architectural design competition award 28th
2012 2nd prize of Graduation design review
2013 3rd prize of Japan institute of architects tokai branch architectural design competition award 30th
2015 Fine work of Nisshin kogyo architectural design competition 2015
2016 2nd prize of Circos international architecture competition
2017 Honorable mentions of Shinkenchiku residential design 2017
2017 4th prize of CLT idea contest 2017
For more information about Tatsuya Kawamoto + Associates, please visit:
*The New Black is a new award from www.skydesignawards.com designed to discover and recognise young architects and designers, or small projects such as pop-up, residential, or retail shops project sizes up to 50m2 (540 ft²).
*The New Black entrants must be either under 38 years of age OR the project submitted must be less than 50m2 (with no age limitation).
R100 Tokyo promotes the cross-cultural aspects of Opus Arisugawa in Japan
With the "R100 TOKYO" brand, Rebita offers essential living in a direct location in the heart of Tokyo with over 100 square meters of exclusive living space. This unit has been designed according to the concepts of "CROSS-CULTURAL" and "COMPELLING MINIMALISM", and OEO Studio, long inspired by Japan, has added a new proposal based on the sensibilities of Scandinavia and Japan.
Through collaboration with OEO studio, With the collaboration of OEO studios, R100 Tokyo promotes Opus Arisugawa's cross-cultural aspects in Japan
Over a 100 square-meter unit has been developed by Rebita Corporation in cooperation with NTT Urban Development Corporation (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Junichi Kawashima.), developed within Opus Arisugawa, a leading Tokyo condominium . The unit was designed by Copenhagen, Denmark-based OEO Studio as the first residential design available for sale.
Rebita is proud to announce that they have teamed up with the design firm, OEO studio, to create a new concept for living in Tokyo. This unit has been designed according to the concepts of "CROSS-CULTURAL" and "COMPELLING MINIMALISM", and OEO Studio, long inspired by Japan, has added a new proposal based on the sensibilities of Scandinavia and Japan.
The result is R100 TOKYO - a 100 square meter unit that provides essential living in a direct location in the heart of Tokyo through collaboration between two cultures. OEO Studio is a design company that specializes in creating products and spaces that are both compelling and minimalistic. The company's signature approach is to express a simple yet compelling narrative through the use of materials and subtle, precise details. Through this partnership, R100 hopes to promote cultural similarities between Scandinavia and Japan while observing Japan from a slightly different perspective.
About the Concept
A space that combines Scandinavian and Japanese sensibilities
Above images: A variety of natural materials are used in the design of natural spaces
Scandinavian and Japanese cultures share a sense of natural materials, and the units draw extensively on natural elements. The oil finish is given to solid wood as much as possible so that it can change even more beautifully over time. Garde Hvalsøe (also written as Garde Vels), a Danish kitchen workshop, designed and constructed the large wooden kitchen, which is the first of its kind ever to be shown to the public. As it is used more and more, the solid wood will become a symbol of the residence because it is reminiscent of Danish cabinetry from the 1950s. With this property, you will be able to experience Scandinavian and Japanese cultures at the same time, and as you live there longer, the more blessings you will reap.
Background of Planning Recent growth in the urban luxury condominium market has occurred along with the emergence of a new group of buyers, including young entrepreneurs and executives, and there is a growing demand for homes that exceed traditional values such as real estate market prices and features of homes. Located in the heart of Tokyo's city center, R100 TOKYO from Rebita International offers one-of-a-kind residences designed by numerous architects and designers in order to provide "homes that look forward 100 years".
With the acquisition of Opus Arisugawa, a superior urban residence in terms of both location and specifications, we aim to offer a one-of-a-kind residence that will maximally express what R100 TOKYO wishes to offer, which led us to design this residence.
Japanese people have respected nature for thousands of years, taking in the surrounding scenery and sunlight, blending it with materials that make up their homes, and experiencing the changes and beauty of the four seasons each day. With their fusion, Japanese culture and Scandinavian values would enhance and sublimate each other. The design of this unit is a collaboration between R100 Tokyo and OEO Studio, a Danish architectural firm with deep cultural knowledge of Japanese design and culture, with the goal of creating a "cross-cultural" design based on Japanese culture.
Please visit: https://r100tokyo.com/sales/akasaka-aoyama-azabu/opus3rdflooroeostudio/ for more information
Or stay tuned with our Upcoming new publication of “One Story” for the story of R100 Tokyo.
OEO Studio has designed interiors, furniture, and products around the world, in addition to a number of projects in Japan, including the Kaikado Cafe, a collaboration with a Kyoto craftsman, as well as the interior design for the INUA restaurant in Tokyo.
Left: Thomas Lykke, Head of Design & Founding Partner at OEO Studio
Right: Anne-Marie Buemann, Managing Partner at OEO Studio