- Area: 304 m²
Text description provided by the architects. This housing and commercial mix-use building complex is located in the heart of Osaka city. This narrow site is overlooking a park, with both the north and south side of the site facing the road. With a low-rise temple situated to the west, allows for the building to openly connect with the city in three directions. In order to take advantage of this unique site condition, we have used vast amount of glass to the west façade for the building to further open to the city. The upper floors of the 26 housing units are composed of 7 different unit patterns. The façade panels that package the units is a direct reflection of the programs of each unit, as glass or concrete panels are appropriately placed. As such, the building has opened up for the units to enjoy greater views with abundant natural light simultaneously creating a sense of openness to the posh community filled with fashionable shops. We assess that it is better for the community in the long run to have an appealing façade rather than a typical urban building here wrapped with blank walls and no windows.
For the entrance hall and approach that will be used daily, we sought of a space where one could feel a sense of change through movement. White marbled walls with imbedded crystals illuminated by light glitters as one walks across this space. On the side of steel girders stainless steel blind is hung, and galvanized steel panel is placed on the underside. These materials create multiplicity to the character of the space through the reflection from the constantly changing light during the day.
Of all 26 rooms, the ones on the 8th and 9th floor facing the park takes full advantage of the site conditions.
We used reflective materials on the floors and walls so the residence inside can closely feel the changing weather. As outside scenes and greenery from the park reflects on them, it brings various atmosphere to the living environment. On the 8th floor units, glass was installed on the corridor walls between the entrance leading to the living room. Outdoor scenes are reflected on them creating openness to the usually dark and contained space. On the highest level, we used highly reflective white tiles on the floors. On a sunny day, it reflects the sky with clouds, giving a sensation of being above it. The grey glass wall brings tension while providing depth to the space.
