wind and light flow through organdie curtains of icai architects' street furniture in japan

icai architects introduces street furniture installation in japan

icai architects introduces the Scape for Every Moment street furniture installation, placed in front of Yokohama City Hall, Japan during the winter of 2023. Situated in a small park cornered by skyscrapers, the structure features circular, overlapping top boards and delicate organdie curtains, creating a space for community interaction. The varying heights of the boards encourage different activities, while the curtains separate spaces without creating barriers. Built for temporary use, the installation is simple but, at the same time, sturdy, made from steel pipes, plywood, and lightweight fabric. 

The furniture embraces the natural elements of light and wind, which constantly transform the appearance of the organdie curtains. Throughout the day, sunlight changes the curtains’ opacity—appearing bright and opaque under strong midday sun, yet more transparent on cloudy days. At sunset, reflections from surrounding buildings cause the curtains to glow, while at night, they shimmer under streetlights. The wind brings the installation to life, shifting the curtains and creating ever-changing visual effects.

all images by courtesy of Munetaka Onodera

scape for every moment remains stable even with strong winds

Located in the Minatomirai district, a redeveloped port area known for its high-rise buildings and historical significance in Japan’s modernization, icai architects introduces soft, flowing elements into a rigid urban landscape. Visitors can lie on the large top boards, looking up through the softly moving curtains at the sky and nearby high-rises, fostering a unique experience that encourages connection with nature and other people. The Japanese firm prioritizes ease of assembly, cost-effectiveness, and structural stability, anticipating strong winds from the nearby sea. Steel pipe columns and frames beneath the top boards act as weights, ensuring the structure remains stable even when people interact with the curtains or other elements. Despite its temporary nature, the installation is durable and responsive to environmental forces.

designed by icai architects, Scape for Every Moment was placed in front of Yokohama City Hall

situated in a small park cornered by skyscrapers

the structure features circular, overlapping top boards and delicate organdie curtains

creating a space for community interaction

curtains separate spaces without creating barriers

built for temporary use, the installation is simple yet sturdy

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the furniture embraces the natural elements of light and wind

natural elements constantly transform the appearance of the organdie curtains

throughout the day, sunlight changes the curtains’ opacity

appearing bright and opaque under strong midday sun, yet more transparent on cloudy days

at sunset, reflections from surrounding buildings cause the curtains to glow

at night, they shimmer under streetlights

the wind brings the installation to life, shifting the curtains and creating ever-changing visual effects

located in the Minatomirai district, a redeveloped port area known for its high-rise buildings

visitors can lie on the large top boards, looking up through the softly moving curtains at the sky

project info:

name: Scape for Every Moment
designer: icai architects | @_yoheikai, some/to
location: Yokohama city, Japan
structural design: ARSTR, Yohei Tomioka
textile design: someto
construction: Kikushima Co.
photography: Munetaka Onodera | @munetaka_onodera

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: thomai tsimpou | designboom