okuwada architects extends office from japanese paper factory

okuwada architects has completed an office for ‘furukawashiko paper craft’, which extends from their factory to approach the street front in the city of gifu. in line with the company’s heritage of producing traditional japanese ‘mino washi’ paper, the design provides a luminous and minimal environment for working. the building’s layout takes an L-shape with each of the spaces facing an internal courtyard. an outdoor terrace opens up the facility on the upper level, and provides a place for relaxation and viewing toward the itatori river.

all images courtesy of okuwada architects office

to complement the courtyard and upper level terrace, the office’s work and conference areas are lined with large windows, which extend from the floor to the ceiling. the plentiful daylight combines with the predominantly white interior finishes to provide luminous spaces. furnishings are composed of plywood panels.

an outdoor terrace opens up the office on the upper level

the terrace faces toward the courtyard to the interior of the site, and toward the river on the other side

the office’s open work area is arranged in an L-shape

the interiors are predominantly finished in white, while furnishings are made of plywood sheets

sliding glass doors link the open work areas to the central courtyard

the upper level conference room is lined with floor to ceiling windows

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project info:

location: gifu, japan
completion date: march 2014
site area: 323.77 sqm
total floor area: 274.73 sqm
structure: steel
floor material: mortar / ceder deck
façade finish: optimus white paint
roofing material: metal plate
architecture: takeshi okuwada / okuwada architects office
structural engineering: shigeru tsuchiya