tomoko ikegai / ikg inc turns tokyo apartment into 'smart & spiritually-rich' home

library house RENOVATION BY TOMOKO IKEGAI /IKG INC IN TOKYO

Tokyo-based architecture practice Tomoko Ikegai / ikg inc presents Library House, a 200 square-meter renovated apartment located in a prestigious area of the Japanese capital. Described as a ‘functional, intelligent, and spiritually rich residence embracing light, books, and technology’, the home was envisioned for a couple in their thirties that believes ‘a house is a part of the transforming life cycle’.

Knowing that the clients were seeking to create a space where they could personally grow and broaden their views through experience, the space has been designed not as a place to live for a lifetime, but as a hub to realize their vision of life.

images by Nacasa & Partners Inc.

A VERSATILE, LIGHT-FILLED, INTELLIGENT SPACE

A versatile and intellectual living space welcomes residents to the Library House by Tomoko Ikegai / ikg inc. Passed the entrance, the dining and living room open up towards the horizontal windows, each filling the space with natural light. The dinning area features a sculptural pendant light by Bocci suspended from an elliptical coved ceiling. A massive book gallery envelopes this space, fitting the walls with 3,000 books, all hand-picked by the architecture firm, to exalt the client’s curiosity to learn. The living room has been outfitted with striking deep blue sofas by B&B that are complemented by Akira Nagasawa’s art piece.

A contemporary home equipped with state-of-the-art technology was also requested, allowing most functions to be controlled remotely. From the curtains, to the scent diffusers, lighting, and air conditioning, everything has been automatized. Even when traveling, the homeowners don’t need to worry about their plants being watered as there is a system that does it automatically.

A one-touch screen transforms the living room into a home-theater, creating the perfect ambiance to watch movies in a cozy, fireplace-lit space. The apartment features two bedrooms — a master and a small one for a child to sleep close to the parents.

Taking into consideration the paradigm change are idea of home is going through, the apartment has a studio that doubles as a home office. In terms of hygiene, a small sink has been placed at the entrance, together with an adjacent walk-in closet where owners and guests can change their clothes.