design nico architects: PORT

'PORT' by design nico architects in yoshizuka, hakata-ku, fukuoka, japan
all images courtesy design nico architects
image © koji fujii (nacasa&partners inc.)


japanese practice design nico architects (kazuya matsuda) has shared with us images of 'PORT',
a two-storey private residence, atelier, and commercial showroom in a semi-industrious area
of fukuoka city, japan. featuring a front porch that visually extends the transparent showroom
on the street level, the design seeks to engage in a positive dialogue with the energy of
the street and site.



image © koji fujii (nacasa&partners inc.)


situated on a corner of a road with heavy traffic during the day, the front facade of the showroom
is finished with double-height glazing that enables the interior to project itself onto the street.
a linear porch lines the outdoor space and gains shading through an overhang and a series of
red cedar louvers. four steel pillars stand on a slight angle, providing structural support while
lending a modern expression to the exterior. the atelier is also made transparent to the street,
but stepped back from the plot line to accommodate a small parking space.



(left) porch
(right) view of showroom
images © koji fujii (nacasa&partners inc.)

to suit the lifestyle of the client, the residential zone of the building was not designed to exist
isolated from the atelier and showroom. located on the second floor, the living and dining space
overlooks the display area by an open atrium. visual connection is established between
the different zones, while the materiality of the spaces - exposed concrete flooring in the showroom,
hard-wood floors and white-washed walls in the residence - achieve suitable atmospheres.
an exterior terrace cut out of the back corner of the building provides an intimate outdoor area
that the inhabitants can enjoy.



interior view
image © koji fujii (nacasa&partners inc.)



view of showroom from second level
image © koji fujii (nacasa&partners inc.)



windows around showroom
image © koji fujii (nacasa&partners inc.)



view of atelier from showroom
image © koji fujii (nacasa&partners inc.)



atelier
image © koji fujii (nacasa&partners inc.)



tatami room
image © koji fujii (nacasa&partners inc.)



view of dining space
image © koji fujii (nacasa&partners inc.)



view from kitchen
image © koji fujii (nacasa&partners inc.)



circulation space of residential area
image © koji fujii (nacasa&partners inc.)



children's room
image © koji fujii (nacasa&partners inc.)



showroom at night
image © koji fujii (nacasa&partners inc.)



night view from the street
image © koji fujii (nacasa&partners inc.)



outdoor terrace
image © koji fujii (nacasa&partners inc.)



floor plan / level 0
(1) porch
(2) entrance
(3) gallery
(4) atelier
(5) tatami space
(6) toilet
(7) kitchen storage
(8) corridor
(9) kitchen
(10) living/dining
(11) bedroom
(12) storage
(13) children's room
(14) washroom
(15) bathroom
(16) terrace



floor plan / level +1














project info:

site area: 323.13 m2
building area: 164.91 m2
total floor area: 256.37 m2
structure: steel frame

structural engineer: tetsuya shimizu / shimizu architects
general contractor: shiji corporation