abre etteh: kuro maku

'kuro maku'

'kuro maku' is a proposed fashion museum by UK architect abre etteh, which received
honorable mention at international architecture competition, hosted by arquitectum.

following the old adage 'you are what you wear', 'kuro maku' aims to showcase the influence
and ideological roots of present global and local fashion trends through real-time data collected
on emergent styles.

balcony/exhibition space

the proposed museum creates a space to highlight and promote the work of established
and up and coming designers. it invites fashion designers to explore links between
clothing, fashion, architecture and urban space.


the gallery entrance presents visitors with a semi-public open space showcasing the efforts of research into emergent fashion trends.

the name 'kuro maku' refers to the black curtains used in kabuki theater to obscure
frantic backstage activities and provide a muted backdrop to the performance happening
in the front stage.

applying this concept of 'kuro maku' to the facade aims to produce a visceral reaction
from its observers. the scale of the tower is distorted by the creases, folds and crimps
of the rubber exterior, which is more akin to the soft architecture of clothing and
the scale of the somatic.


runway projection screen facing omotesando street


the runway


entrance to japanese garden

by means of a chiaroscuro effect, the interior spaces create a sense of weight to make
the visitor become increasingly aware of their bodies and others within the spaces.
this effect hopes to blur the distinction between the exhibits and its visitors.


japanese garden




sectional view

through the use of actuators, the fabric facade can be expanded and contracted to allow
air flow between floors. a rapid and coordinated fluctuation of the facade will cause a
redistribution of air through out the building. the actuators also respond to seasonal
conditions by expanding during summer to allow for natural cooling and contracting
and hence creating greater thermal mass during winter.



site plan