naoya kawabe architect & associates: LUZ shirokane

'LUZ shirokane' by naoya kawabe architect & associates in tokyo, japan
all images courtesy naoya kawabe architect & associates
image © akinobu kawabe


japanese practice naoya kawabe architect & associates has sent us images of 'LUZ shirokane',
a multi-storey housing complex in tokyo, japan. contrary to conventional layouts where
the area of the individual units are maximized, the building inserts a generously-sized
common space at the core of its design to encourage a level of communication and transparency
between the tenants.



street view
image © akinobu kawabe


situated on a tight site flanked by adjacent structures, the complex stands as a monolithic
concrete form with clean lines and a tapering roof. the elevations are punctuated with
a series of rectangular-faced windows that do not distinguish between units and
communal spaces. tucked away from the street, the main entrance is placed down
a private pathway that is generated by the set-back footprint of the building.



exterior elevation
image © akinobu kawabe


seamlessly integrated into the circulation of each storey is a common space that every unit
gains access through. conceived at a scale similar to the apartments, the neutral area
is spatially more easily occupied than a conventional hallway. large internal windows look out
onto this space, visually extending the individual residences while further reinforcing
a sense of community between inhabitants. specific furniture pieces, such as a long table
with stools, encourage group activities to take place throughout the building. 



(left) entrance passageway
(right) interior view of ground floor unit
images © akinobu kawabe



second floor uni with a view of common space
image © hiroyuki taoka



second floor unit
image © akinobu kawabe



interior window to common space
image © hiroyuki taoka



stairs and third floor common area
image © hiroyuki taoka



image © hiroyuki taoka



image © hiroyuki taoka



fourth floor common space
image © hiroyuki taoka



views of stairways
images © hiroyuki taoka



fifth floor
image © akinobu kawabe



interior view of fifth floor unit
image © akinobu kawabe



night view on roof top
image © akinobu kawabe



floor plan / level 0



floor plan / level +1



floor plan / level +2



floor plan / level +3



floor plan / level +4



floor plan / loft level



floor plan / roof level



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