The light of transient waves reflecting fleeting changes in nature and time – We designed shared office spaces intended to bring together a diversity of Japanese manufacturing companies and spark the co-creation of new cultural and business values through organic exchanges.
Deliverables included spaces that stimulate creativity and foster interaction among the diverse artisans working in the shared office who promote the use of traditional Japanese manufacturing techniques. Moreover, we sought to reflect on the history of the district of Gotanda, an area whose name echoes its rural rice farming origins. Thus the idea is to create an office space that harmoniously incorporates these elements.
A kimono is born from a single piece of cloth, origami is the art of transforming a single sheet of paper into various forms. Furoshiki is a single piece of cloth used to wrap objects of all shapes and sizes. Limited resources have spurred a variety of Japanese innovations that have made their way into the creation of everyday goods. In celebration of this cultural heritage, we endeavored to create a space that satisfies various functions and requirements through the ingenious volume of a simple flat surface, made of aluminum, a limited material.
Here, a single “recycled” aluminum sheet is spread across the entire ceiling and fills the space with waves full of fresh vitality, reflecting light and producing soft glimmers like that of the sunlight shining on the surface of the paddy fields of yesteryear. The beautifully overlapping metallic waves create areas of different heights and expanses of space that change freely, just as water flows in a lively and reactive manner, thus suffusing the area with the necessary functions and atmosphere.
In the entrance area, the intense flow of the waves creates a dynamic space where the height of the space changes vertically in a dramatic fashion, giving visitors a strong sense of movement, and promoting stimulating encounters and ideas. In the sofa lounge and desk areas, the waves become calmer and the height of the space increases, providing an environment geared for relaxation and concentration along with a sense of openness.
In the bar and kitchen areas, the waves are kept low and calm, creating an intimate space for people to liven up and enjoy deeper conversations. Sunny and cloudy skies, sunrise and dusk, and other seasonal and daily changes in natural light are experienced with subtlety, allowing for a variety of atmospheric spatial experiences depending on the location of visitors and the passage of time.
The beautifully transient overarching waterscape creates a poetic rhythm in response to the changes in environmental light, producing a mysterious radiance imbued with profound depth that enhances the enjoyment and pleasure of artisans engaged in creative activities.
Sustainable Design Methods – We used “recycled” aluminum sheets for this space project. Moreover, since they give the space its singularity, we adapted the assembly method of the aluminum ceiling parts so as to be able to disassemble and reinstall them when moving the business to a different location. In doing so, we devised a way to effectively reduce the waste, and the cost of store relocation, and create a recycling-oriented society.
Project gallery
Project location
Address:Shinagawa City, Japan
Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: “Waterscape Office / co-lab gotanda with JPRE / Moriyuki Ochiai Architects and Harumaki Project” 29 Dec 2024. ArchDaily. Accessed .
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