G Architects Studio has another architectural marvel to its credit, with the completion of a 37-year-old raw concrete loft apartment in Tokyo, which was renovated by the Japanese studio recently.

Located in the heart of the Japanese capital, the unique apartment was painted in white and refurbished to add to its phenomenal appeal. When the studio got to work on the project, the architects soon realized how the attic of the building with long, sloping ceilings and raw interior could be converted into a decorative space.

The genius architectural minds accepted the challenge and soon discovered the hidden beauty of the sloped ceilings, converting them into a row of beautiful skylights for the seamless flow of natural light into the three-decade-old living space that opens into a balcony terrace. Bringing their creativity into play, the architectural team found out a way to reveal the spectacular yet concealed view of the city that once lay hidden behind the slopped ceiling.

Deliberately choosing to create a space that provided a home-like ambience in a hotel setting, the G Architects Studio team exposed the unique character of the bare concrete apartment and added an oomph factor by introducing typical hotel features and achieving harmony between the old and the new. The marriage of raw industrial finishes with modern day amenities has helped make it a more welcoming space for people who seek home comforts in an apartment rental, exposing guests to the “real culture of Tokyo.” The magnificently decked bare concrete space now boasts an inviting bar area and a cozy freestanding bathtub.

Making the best use of the industrial attic interior, the architects used soft painting techniques on the raw concrete walls to create a panoramic effect of the traditional Japanese Washi paper, uniquely lifting the aesthetics and adding to the beauty of the interiors. The astounding effect of spray painting A4 sheets of resin and then removing them is clearly imminent in the form of a spiral-like texture, beautifully blending the old and the new walls and adding to the overall appeal of the setting.

Other forms of aesthetically beautiful introduction to the otherwise boring bare concrete space are the wooden floorboards and the exposed plumbing features and electrical wires in dark orange hues, designed to perfection to enhance the industrial look.

As the first model for similar projects involving bare concrete loft, the G Architects Studio project offers architectural hope for rejuvenating other disused “pencil buildings” in Tokyo. Built in the 1980s during Japan’s economic growth, these uniquely constructed buildings stand tall on a land disproportionate to their altitude.

    string(4) "elda"
Avatar photo

Elda

Elda Bellone is a very talented Italian architect and industrial designer who’s always been actively involved in studying, investigating and developing innovative approaches to both function and form. Elda is passionate about all the different languages of art, looking for new influences and interchanges she aims to extend and enrich the meaning of the many possibilities to conceive objects, beyond the conventional definitions.

Tags: , , ,
    • Battery House

      Architecture

      A single family house designed with two areas: a “battery” that contains the main programs…

    • The Big Zip

      Architecture

      A modern cows’ shed designed with spacious areas and a walkway that allows visitors to…

    • House of Grid

      Architecture

      A low-profile, contemporary house designed with a grid-like structure that creates open and private spaces…

    • Apartment with a Library

      Architecture

      The collaborative renovation and transformation project of a Milan apartment with an unconventional layout. Located…

    • The Fyrgani Holiday House

      Architecture

      A charming dry stone house designed with blue elements that reference the color of the…

loader