naka architects' studio merges apartments, office and restaurant into one building

naka architects’ studio merges apartments, office and restaurant into one building
photography by koichi torimura

toshiharu naka+yuri Uno / naka architects’ studio have manifested a dynamic and social environment through their design of the ‘apartment with a small restaurant’. located within a housing complex in downtown tokyo, the creation a ‘small economy’ using an open-plan arrangement consisting of five residential units, a small restaurant and a shared office space. along with their own rooftop terrace, the apartments are connected by a shared hallway and accessed through the multipurpose studio space. simultaneously the small restaurant is open to the public and the residents ‘which is ran by a cook and any local residents who love cooking’. through encouraging social exchange, this concept sharing and interaction has resulted in a sense of community and pleasant atmosphere for the building residents and locals.

the studio faces the terrace and can be used as living-space or office space

the communal space of one of the apartments

along the terraces, common spaces like laundry facilities and bbq have been placed

terrace on first floor and the entrance of soho unit #1 on the left

the restaurant café have been split into different levels

a event is held within the restaurant

by creating a ‘small economy’ the apartment evokes a sense of community

the shared studio space is in the basement

locals and residents of the scheme can use the building

the scheme won the 2014 good design gold award
photo by naka architects’ studio

project info:

title: apartment with a small restaurant
architect: toshiharu naka+yuri uno / naka architects’ studio
location: tokyo, japan
completed: 2014
photography: koichi torimura, naka architects’ studio

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