this transparent showroom in japan is surrounded by an artificial pond

famous throughout japan for its water solutions, miura corporation has commissioned takenaka to develop a unique design that would symbolize the company’s brand and impress visitors from all over the world. to achieve this, the architects aimed to merge the interiors and architecture through the medium of water to create a showroom which will provide visitors with an enriched spatial experience.

perspective of the whole building, image © kota inokuchi

to integrate water into every space, the architects have divided the building into the entrance & office wing and the exhibition wing, then connected them with a bridge across the pond. the 45-degree rotation of the exhibition wing introduces the depth for the in-between space and, offers a lot of natural light into the entrance wing. the opening in the skirting of the exhibition wing captures the soft light reflected from the water into the exhibition hall.

entrance approach, image © tomoki hahakura

the foyer lies between the split volumes of the upper office area and along the route way to the exhibition wing. it is equipped with top lights and a large glazed curtain wall, and fill the whole building with freshness, light, and air.

evening scene of the entrance, image © kota inokuchi

the two of the four sides of the exhibition wing are hung over the pond and are free from any pillars. the slab structure on the 2nd floor is suspended from the roof beam with the rigid truss-structure along the scaffoldings. 

night view of the showroom, image © tomoki hahakura

basin and bridge, image © tomoki hahakura

basin and entrance, image © tomoki hahakura

an atrium space, image © kota inokuchi

from office 3F, image © tomoki hahakura

view of the showroom, image © tomoki hahakura

project info:

architects: takenaka corporation

client: miura corporation

location: japan

photography: kota inokuchi / tomoki hahakura

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