Contemporary Japanese Architecture
NE Apartment Architects: Yuji Nakae, Akiyoshi Takagi, Hirofumi Ohno Location: Tokyo, Japan Usage: Residential This 8-unit rental apartment house complex was designed to house motorcycle enthusiasts, with a built-in garage included in every unit.The building is located on a flag-shaped plot near the apex of a triangular block, with a certain degree of open space toward the main road to the south. The C-shaped design was a practical decision to allow the residents to access their apartments through a common alley that leads right to the center of the complex. The wall on the entrance side was curved to provide maximum space on the outside, while guaranteeing sufficient volume for each apartment unit and wall length to fit 8 entrance doors. The resulting little square avoids giving the impression of a narrow and dark dead end, and allows the residents to rotate their bikes easily. The building is a reinforced concrete structure composed of seven walls and a slab.
Hector Ceballos