Architectural Cases

In the bustling urban landscape of Tokyo, a residential and workspace project by HOAA, named House in Nakano, ingeniously navigates the constraints of a tightly packed district. Spanning 96.38 square meters, the dwelling, which also serves as the architect’s own home and studio, was faced with the challenge of limited natural light due to surrounding structures. Overcoming this, the design introduces a distinctive elevated terrace, dubbed the 'Kazari Garden,' which gracefully extends outwards, capturing sunlight and offering expansive views to the interior spaces.

This innovative design transcends the typical boundaries of urban living by creating a dynamic interaction between the private residence and its public surroundings. The Kazari Garden, with its fluid, curved form, reaches towards the street, ensuring ample sunlight for thriving greenery and illuminating the dining area. This interaction naturally sparks conversations between residents tending to their plants and passersby, fostering a sense of community engagement. The house, through this design, transforms into a dynamic civic element—a spontaneous observation deck, a miniature park, or an elevated porch that seamlessly integrates with the urban fabric.

The interior architecture of the House in Nakano is thoughtfully structured with a split-level system, a response to the natural elevation changes of the site. Wooden finishes define the inner spaces, guiding views between the sunlit Kazari Garden and a more secluded Back Garden. This arrangement facilitates a continuous, spiral-like circulation that reorients daily routines and perspectives. Rather than concealing possessions, the design celebrates them; shelves lining pathways display an array of ceramics, books, photographs, and plants. These everyday objects are viewed as living archives, adding subtle texture and self-awareness to the home, akin to a continuously evolving art gallery.

Hiroyuki Oinuma, the architect, emphasizes the concept of 'Kazari,' which signifies ornamentation or decoration, as a crucial social and psychological link within the architectural context. The project challenges conventional notions that architectural embellishments are merely superficial. Instead, it posits that thoughtful decoration, particularly through the inclusion of living elements, can profoundly enrich the daily domestic experience in an urban setting, fostering well-being and connection.

Ultimately, House in Nakano stands as a testament to creative urban design, demonstrating how architectural ingenuity can transform perceived limitations into defining features that enhance both functionality and community interaction. Through its innovative use of a looping terrace and a thoughtfully designed interior, the residence offers a vibrant, engaging living and working environment within the dense urban fabric of Tokyo.

Bottega Veneta has inaugurated a new store at 58 Gansevoort Street in New York's Meatpacking District, marking a significant expansion for the luxury brand. This 312-square-meter space seamlessly integrates into the area's low-rise architectural style, maintaining an unobstructed connection with the street through its minimalist storefront and expansive glass panels.

The interior layout is conceived as an interconnected series of open areas rather than a singular expansive floor, allowing for clear sightlines from the entrance to the rear of the store. Shelving units and freestanding furnishings delineate distinct zones, offering a sense of depth without resorting to physical barriers. Customer flow is guided laterally and gently, primarily shaped by the thoughtful arrangement of furniture rather than conventional partitions.

The store's aesthetic is defined by a sophisticated blend of materials, creating a serene and cohesive environment. Concrete flooring and walls establish a uniform, matte base that absorbs light, providing a neutral backdrop for the displayed merchandise and fixtures. Above, the dark ceiling recedes, accentuating the horizontal expanse of the retail space. Natural oak shelves, showcasing their inherent grain, line the perimeter, ensuring consistency across various product sections. Verde Saint Denis marble, with its distinctive veining, is strategically incorporated as panels and shelving surfaces, its polished depth offering a subtle contrast to the surrounding concrete without diverting attention from the items it holds.

Complementing the material palette, the store features custom display cabinets and low-profile shelving systems that are meticulously integrated with the architectural lines and structural elements. These broad, low-set furnishings preserve the vertical openness of the space. Central tables are designed as functional surfaces for showcasing accessories, books, and smaller items, rather than serving as imposing focal points. The furniture collection includes pieces by notable designers such as Jorge Zalszupin and Lea Colombo, selected for their utility as seating and resting areas. A glass vase by Orsoni, a Venetian manufacturer established in 1888, quietly contributes to the refined ambiance. A dedicated display cabinet highlights the brand's signature Intrecciato leather weave and established color range, with materials and samples precisely arranged and lit to emphasize their texture and pattern. The lighting throughout the store is discreet and directional, focused on illuminating shelves and tabletops, with integrated fixtures seamlessly flush with joinery elements, minimizing visual distraction and creating a soft, evenly lit atmosphere. Towards the back, an in-house library offers a curated selection of poetry and painting books, positioned for easy browsing, blending seamlessly with the merchandise through shared shelving design and material treatment. This integration ensures the store's design reflects the Meatpacking District's character through its scale and thoughtful restraint, avoiding overt historical references but emphasizing material integrity and continuous surfaces. This new location extends Bottega Veneta's presence downtown, building on its history in New York since 1972, following its founding in Vicenza in 1966.