A place dedicated to exploring design & innovation, nurturing future creators.

This is the first-phase construction of a new building for Kuwasawa Design Institute, the first design school in Japan. The plan began with the complete renovation of a building located adjacent to the existing institute building, aiming to enhance functionality by operating it in conjunction with the existing facility.

In the initial phase of construction, the scope of renovation was from the 1st floor up to the fourth floor. Utilizing the building's elongated and symmetrical shape.The primary objective was to create open and adaptable facilities that would cater to a range of uses. By incorporating efficient circulation planning, we aimed to optimize the traffic flow within the building..

. By reimagining the existing facilities, we upgraded and transformed them in a manner that aligned with universal designs inclusive approach, enabling efficient navigation and interaction within the space.resulting in a

The result of this first phase of construction is a building that not only exudes functionality but also embraces a modern and inviting aesthetic. The open and flexible facilities cater to the diverse needs of the users, offering a space where creativity and collaboration can thrive.

The newly designed school building from the first to the third floor is centered around a central common space, acting as a vibrant hub for social interaction. It provides a nucleus of connectivity, with functional spaces such as event areas and classrooms on either side. This central common space holds great importance, as it encourages collaboration and engagement among students and staff.
The event space on the first floor is designed to be bright and open. With its strategic placement allowing maximum visibility from the facade, it effortlessly connects the school with the outside environment. This design element ensures a seamless flow of energy, creating a captivating atmosphere for various school events.

Within the central common space, on the second and third floors, students can find benches and high tables. This area acts as a gathering spot, offering students a chance to connect and utilize their recess time more effectively.
Moving up to the fourth floor, we are greeted with an extraordinary outdoor space. This floor boasts an expansive area, comprising more than half of the floor plan. From this elevated vantage point, students and staff can relish magnificent views of Yoyogi Stadium and the lush beauty of Yoyogi Park. It's a truly remarkable oasis nestled within the city.
To make the most of this outdoor space, a deck-style terrace is integrated into the design concept. Custom benches, large tables, and counters are harmoniously incorporated, providing ample seating and workspace for individuals or groups. This terrace is adorned with an abundance of natural greenery, enhancing the overall aesthetic and creating a serene and inviting ambiance. It offers a delightful connection to the outdoors while being in the heart of the city.

.This building, constructed in the 1990s, had a distinctive concrete exterior that evoked the post-modern atmosphere, while the interior retained the vintage feel of that era, including marble walls and wooden floors. To contrast with the exterior, the interior was designed to have a long lasting neutral aesthetic, minimal decoration and adding an urban edge, given its location between Shibuya and Harajuku. Budget allocation was also considered to ensure that the structure could be updated in the future, with a focus on maximizing the functionality of each room through minimal finishes and innovations.

As the school's founding principles are based on the design philosophy of Germany's Bauhaus, materials such as steel, glass, and concrete, were used predominantly in the interior, updating Bauhaus-inspired details from Dessau for a contemporary renovation. Details such as simple curved handrails, custom curtains, fabrics, and repurposed polished marble tabletops contribute to the space’s formation, highlighting the the strength of straight lines,infusing a human warmth into the space, and envisioning inspiration for students who use it daily.

The extensive use of neutral gray within the painted white skeleton of the building’s interior serves to both underscore its urban character and provide a balanced backdrop to accentuate the individual ‘colors’ of the students pursuing design.

Through these elements, it is hoped that this enduring impression will continue to serve as a balanced focus for students studying in the city, functioning as an open receptacle that inherits the history of being Japan’s first design school.

*Bauhaus Founded in 1919 in Weimar by architect Walter Gropius, Bauhaus was a comprehensive school of visual arts that aimed to unify art and industry, providing a vigorous education in design. Its philosophy had a profound and widespread influence on the subsequent art and cultural conditions in Europe and the United States."

place dedicated to exploring design & innovation, nurturing future creators.

This is the first-phase construction of the new building for Kuwasawa Design Research Institute, the first design school in Japan. The plan began with the renovation of a building located adjacent to the existing institute building, aiming to enhance functionality by operating it in conjunction with the existing facility.

In the first phase of construction, the scope included renovations from the ground floor to the fourth floor. We created a layout that took advantage of the long, symmetrical shape of the building. The goal was to provide open and flexible facilities with efficient circulation ( traffic flow) planning and upgrading facilities,re-imagined in line with universal design principles.

From the first to the third floor, a central common space was designed to serve as a nucleus of interaction, with functional spaces such as event spaces and classrooms flank either side. The event space was designed to be bright and open, with maximum visibility from the facade and allowing seamless access from the entrance area, connecting the school with the outside. A central common space with benches and high tables in the middle of classrooms on the second and third floors serves as a space for students to connect and make better use of the recess between classes.

The fourth floor comprises more than half outdoor space, overlooking Yoyogi Stadium and the lush oasis of Yoyogi Park.it features a deck style terrace with custom benches, large tables, and counters all harmoniously integrated with lush greenery. The intention was to create a pleasant space that connects with the outdoors while being in the city.

This building, constructed in the 1990s, had a distinctive concrete exterior that evoked the post-modern atmosphere, while the interior retained the vintage feel of that era, including marble walls and wooden floors. To contrast with the exterior, the interior was designed to have a long lasting neutral aesthetic, minimal decoration and adding an urban edge, given its location between Shibuya and Harajuku. Budget allocation was also considered to ensure that the structure could be updated in the future, with a focus on maximizing the functionality of each room through minimal finishes and innovations.