‘NE apartment’ by nakae architects, tokyo, japan image © hiroyasu sakaguchi all images courtesy of nakae architects

‘NE apartment’ is an 8-unit apartment complex dedicated to motorcycle enthusiasts in tokyo, japan by japanese firm nakae architects. the building’s square footprint features a C-shaped outdoor area which is carved from the interior and accessed from a private alley which leads to the street. borders a centralized communal area, the curved facade allows enough length for access into each unit’s built-in garage while dwellers may use the area to easily rotate their rides.

a radial arrangement of seven internal walls divide the residences, meeting the arcing external wall at a 90 degree angle to maximize livable spaces inside. rooms are placed to avoid views into opposing residences even with a continuous window strip along the exterior. the concrete framework includes a rigid frame of columns and beams. secured by the foundations, the vertical elements act as vertical cantilevers and the slabs distribute most of the horizontal force. the diverse angles of the wall placement in plan minimizes rotational forces and strengthens the structure.

nakae architects: NE apartment image © hiroyasu sakaguchi

nakae architects: NE apartment image © hiroyasu sakaguchi

nakae architects: NE apartment image © hiroyasu sakaguchi

nakae architects: NE apartment image © hiroyasu sakaguchi

nakae architects: NE apartment image © hiroyasu sakaguchi

nakae architects: NE apartment image © hiroyasu sakaguchi

nakae architects: NE apartment image © hiroyasu sakaguchi

nakae architects: NE apartment images © hiroyasu sakaguchi

nakae architects: NE apartment model

nakae architects: NE apartment site model

nakae architects: NE apartment site plan

nakae architects: NE apartment floor plan / level 0 G: garage B: bathroom D: dining K: kitchen R: bedroom

nakae architects: NE apartment floor plan / level 1

nakae architects: NE apartment floor plan / level 2

nakae architects: NE apartment section

nakae architects: NE apartment section

nakae architects: NE apartment elevation

nakae architects: NE apartment elevation

nakae architects: NE apartment elevation

nakae architects: NE apartment elevation

project info:

project: NE apartment location: tokyo, japan principal use: housing architect: yuji nakae / nakae architects, akiyoshi takagi / akiyoshi takagi architects, hirofumi ohno / ohno japan general constructor: fuzzy, co., ltd. site area: 201.89m2 building area: 96.34m2 total floor area: 289.02m2 ground level: 96.34m2 2nd level: 96.34m2 3rd level: 96.34m2 structure: reinforced concrete and steel, 3 stories maximum height: 8050mm design period: dec.2006 – may.2007 construction period: jun.2007 – dec.2007