This project is a combined residential and gallery complex located in Toshima-ku, Tokyo. Inspired by the organic structure of a tree—comprising the trunk, branches, and leaves—we aimed to create a building that mimics this natural growth. The design features folded plant elements along with multiple levels of concrete boxes, forming an organic and tree-like architectural composition.
The concrete boxes are three-dimensional structures featuring intricate gaps within the main frame. Windows facing the plants open to connect indoor and outdoor spaces seamlessly, creating an environment that caters to human physical sensations. Furthermore, the folds are covered with plants, producing an organic whole that breathes in harmony with the surrounding landscape, much like trees.
The interior of the concrete boxes offers peaceful spaces housing bedrooms and a gallery. Outside these boxes, terraces, gardens, and living and dining rooms enclosed in glass create an inviting atmosphere. The design incorporates not only the building’s interior but also the external spaces—including gardens and the street—in a three-dimensional manner. Our vision is to realize a futuristic, dynamic architecture that constantly transforms both inside and out, inspiring the innate human connection to nature and primal instincts.
Night view of the building
Design Drawings
△ Sketch
Design Concept 1: Box
Design Concept 2: Wrinkles
Design Concept 3: Plants
△ Fold evolution
△ Fold evolution
△ Fold evolution
△ Fold evolution
△ List of fold forms
△ Wrinkle details
△ First floor plan
△ Second and Third Floor Plans
△ Fourth and Fifth Floor Plans
△ Fifth floor and roof plan
△ Roof plan
△ South elevation view
△ North elevation view
△ Section diagram
△ Section diagram
△ Section details
Project Information
Project Type: Independent Residential Building
Location: Toyoshima, Japan
Architectural Design: Akihisa Hirata Architectural Design Firm
Area: 331 m²
Year: 2017
Photographer: Vincent Hecht
Suppliers: ADVAN, IKEGAMI, IOC Flooring, TUSCANIA Biscotto, Tokuyama, Yoko Ando
Project Architect: Yuko Tonogi
Design Team: Kohei Oba, Masatoshi Sugiyama
Structural Engineers: Masato Araya (OAK), Takashi Manda (tmsd), Taijiro Kato (tmsd)
Equipment Engineers: Kazuhiro Endo, Sho Takahashi (EOS plus)
Lighting Design: Yuichi Tsukada (Onshitsu)
Soft Decoration Design: Yoko Ando, Kasumi Yamaguchi (Yoko Ando Design)
Construction: Akira Ohara, Satoshi Kikuchi (Oharakomusho)
Plant Installation: Yasuyuki Ikegami
Must log in before commenting!
Sign Up