ALCHEMY OF LIFE, OPUS ARISUGAWA by Curiosity

The new and exclusive residence with CURIOSITY’s aesthetics has been designed in Opus Arisugawa, a unique luxurious mansion, situated beside the lush green park in the center of Tokyo. The residence is a part of the renovation project, “R100 TOKYO”, led by ReBITA, offering exceptional residences with custom-made interiors with over 100 square meter space and unchangeable value for 100 years. 

The Opus Arisugawa has originally rooted in the richness of collaboration between architects and artists. And how a designer can connect the building’s image to the living space in a dialogue between the creations of various artists and artisans. The answer is to create a lifestyle beyond the resident can imagine. More than a spatial intervention, this is exploring the fundamentals that rhythm our daily life. It is a bridge between the richness, experiences of the past, and the expectation of future lifestyle. Japan’s landscape, architecture, and interior are created by the so-called: “selected views”, a series of life compositions carefully framed and composed. The Opus space is developed as a choreography, where you are guided through a series of such sceneries. This is not a blank canvas of a traditional lifestyle, but a thoughtful sequence of different scenes, stages, and situations that cannot happen in normal conditions. 

The entrance is magnified by the composition of unique calligraphy by Shuko Tsuchiya, a representation of a bonsai on Japanese paper, reflecting in the mirror and creating a dynamic effect. The small andon, a paper framed lamp, symbolizes the welcoming. The dark stone floor with rough texture is a reminiscence of a Japanese house. The suspended volume reveals part of the interior and the narrow entrance in the right.

The main room

The narrow entrance opens-up to a large open space with a sense of infinity as the interior reflects on a mirror under the window, emphasized by the lighting and ceiling design. The main room is organized around two islands: a square dining table and a sofa.

Like a wordless conversation

Like a wordless conversation, the composition of materials, objects, drawings, paintings, and rare objects creates a continuous sense of discovery.

The kitchen design

The kitchen design as a performance stage is widely opened to the living space. When the kitchen is not used, the space crafted in various dark shades of stones, wood will disappear in the shadow.

10-meter long corridor

Like the passages in a ryokan（Japanese hotel）, the 10-meter long corridor that connects the living room and the private quarters is transformed into an installation like a gallery with one side mirror that reflected the space, creating an amazing effect and emphasis by the carefully placed flower arrangement in the bedroom side.

Exquisite simplicity

A place to share private moments of relaxation and exquisite simplicity. It is an ideal place for breakfast or reading.

The Master bedroom

The master bedroom concept has been created as an independent space, where a unique mood fuses beauty and functionality with different scenes: the daybed in front of the window and the open bath. All of them are visually connected in a continuous sense of interaction between the residents.

Sliding paper doors

Functional elements become a strong feature like art: a brushed painting on sliding paper doors leading to the dressing room.

Dressing and private room

Behind the sliding doors, a large dressing and personal study room open up, with an original private desk and console.

Textures and materials

Space focuses on the singularity of textures and materials. The wall of the bedroom is covered with a special fabric with a combination of velvet and washi. The apparent extreme simplicity of the color palette reveals a wide range of textures and finishes, described as textured minimalism.

The play of light and shadow

The play of light and shadow with the louvered doors of the open bath. The louvered ceiling and sliding doors create a calm connection to the space.

Furniture

Throughout the space, unique furniture has been created with the intention to encounter a scenery that is virgin to our memory and does not connect to past experiences, opening the mind to new expectations.

Original objects

To make every moment of daily life a unique experience, original objects used daily such as wine coolers, glasses, and tea utensils, were created for the house in collaboration with traditional craftsmen and artists.

Artists/suppliers who collaborated with:
Ink art (entrance): Shuko Tsuchiya
Paintings (living room): Tsutomu Hoshitani
Vases: Shingo Ohira
Ceramic art (dining table): TOGAKUDO
Japanese paper (sliding door): Wajue
Fabric (bedroom wall): Reiko Sudo/NUNO

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PHOTO: SATOSHI SHIGETA

For more information, please visit:

CURIOSITY INC. http://curiosity.jp