Kitazawa Residential Space

Press Kit

Unique Properties

Kitazawa Apartment is a newly built collective residence in a quiet residential area in Setagaya-ku, Tokyo. The design project was for the ground floor (shared space, garden, and parking) of the apartment. The theme is "A place for a short break". There are three design points: "History inheritance", "Affinity with the local environment", and "Diverse communications". There is huge value in caring for the original lush green environment and designing the place to be open to the area as a space.

Dimensions & Packaging

Surface area 1955.56㎡
Building area 980.52㎡

Tags

History, The roof tiles mixed with terrazzo, texture of the place, Superior in heat insulation effect retention, Diverse communications

Production Technology

"History inheritance"
The roof tiles of the former Japanese-style mansion (called Kawara) are mixed with terrazzo, and finished up with plastering which inheriting the "texture of the place”.
The terrazzo floor material mixed with many roof tiles is a Superior in heat insulation effect retention.
"Affinity with the local environment"
The dead-end site was transformed into a passageway connecting alleys, doubling as an evacuation route, with replanted trees and an open biotope for the community.
"Diverse communications"
The shared space for residents seamlessly blends inside and out, with benches and railings in the biotope for thoughtful breaks and interactions, shaping the community's future.

This project was a ground floor + landscape common area design for an apartment building. The planning and design focused on creating a seamless connection between the interior design and the landscape.

Design Challenge

In particular, the plastering of terrazzo mixed with roofing tiles installed on the interior and exterior floors, walls, and molding was very difficult because in addition to functionality, workability, and aesthetics, maintenance and cost had to be considered.

Project Duration

Planning for this project began in October 2020, construction began in February 2021, and construction was completed in July 2022 in a quiet residential neighborhood in Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Japan.

Operation Flow

The shared space for residents seamlessly blends inside and out, with benches and railings in the biotope for thoughtful breaks and interactions, shaping the community's future.

Research

”Diverse Communications”
A place for a short break where a community is born. Benches and handrails in the biotope are perfect for breaks. You can lean on it and chat with people on the way home from shopping. Put things on it for stretching when running. A resting place in a quiet residential area is where diverse people spend and talk in a variety of ways. The people will weave the future of the community and create a sense of belonging through diverse communication.

Inspiration

Since this project was to be built in a quiet, upscale residential neighborhood, we were mindful of serving the community, not destroying the landscape, and connecting the local community to the future.

Image Credits

main#1:Photographer Masaaki Inoue
option#1,2,3,4:Photographer Masaaki Inoue
Video Credits:Photographer Masaki Inoue/Creativedirector Michiyo matsumura

Colors of Kitazawa Residential Space