atelier k: KIT pavilion

‘KIT pavilion’ by atelier k in kyoto, japan all images courtesy atelier k image © taizo furukawa

japanese architects atelier k (akira kakuda) has shared with us images of ‘KIT pavilion’, an office and meeting space for the kyoto institute of technology. instead of a pillar-beam system, the design folds a single plane into multiple creases to create a dramatically cantilevered roof over the entrance.

‘active yard’ and approach image © taizo furukawa

situated on a corner of the campus, the multifunctional building draws from and integrates the adjacent landscaping into the conditions of the interior. to the south, an ‘active yard’ consisting of a curvilinear ramp becomes the approach path to the entrance, while a ‘static yard’ finished with a carpet of white sand is tucked into the layout with three rooms arranged around it. clearly read from the exterior as a folded surface, the roof and wall form cuts away sections of its elevation to enable natural daylight to enter from the west.

entrance image © taizo furukawastructured with a wooden lattice, floor-to-ceiling glazing establish sight lines to the yards and immediate site. the angled volume can be felt in the creases of the ceiling and serves to establish a sense of continuity from room to room. though small in layout, the changing pitch of the roof dynamically extends the interior space. 

image © taizo furukawa floor to ceiling windows

interior view image © taizo furukawa

(left) view of ‘active yard’ (right) meeting space images © taizo furukawa

view from entrance image © taizo furukawa

at night image © taizo furukawa

image © taizo furukawa

site plan

floor plan

longitudinal section

cross section

east elevation

west elevation

(left) south elevation (right) north elevation