torafu architects completes rent building in tokyo with high-ceiling concrete interiors

torafu architects has completed ‘zet minamiaoyama’, a concrete rental building for rent in tokyo’s fashionable minamiaoyama neighborhood. located on a 175 m2 corner lot, in a quite area behind aoyama street, the rectangular building comprises two underground levels and two aboveground floors. its exterior combines rough, washed concrete walls with a smooth concrete mold around the windows. at the same time, the vast, high-ceiling spaces of the interior are complete in board formed concrete, patterned with lauan wood. all images by daici ano

torafu architects has developed the rental building with two entrances, and enough space to accommodate four tenants. while the all-concrete construction defines the character of the building, its interiors were created neutral enough to welcome tenants with a variety of styles and from a variety of industries. located on a corner side, the project features two distinct façades: the front side, which faces the busy street and comprises large openings that utilize the 4-meter-high ceilings; and the side facing the alley, which has small windows that create an illusion that makes people misunderstand the number of floors in the building.

the exterior of the building is complete with a platform generated from the height difference that serves as a public bench in front of the large window of the ground level. the large and small windows function as displays that bring the inside atmosphere to the outside and vice versa. they also capture scenes of people walking down the street, and the sky cut into the large frame even though the building is located in the very center of a big city.

‘the renovation-like method, which follows an image of cutting out the openings to an existing body, is simple, but it draws in the ever-changing light, providing a vibrant expression to the RC building,’ notes torafu architects.