I IN revamps Tokyo condominium to modify Japanese view of renovations

RENOVATIONS

Reeded glass partitions, stucco partitions and red walnut joinery element in this renovation of a compact condominium in Tokyo by community studio I IN.


Created for Smarg, the renovation arm of Japanese actual estate firm Goodlife, The Life principle condominium was created to reframe the way that Japanese householders perceive renovated residences.

Red walnut joinery attributes in the course of the apartment (major and above)

“There is a typical impression of renovated apartments in Japan, which is not generally good,” mentioned I IN.

“The majority of individuals prefer new structures and areas for the reason that of their visual appearance and bolstered structures as we have earthquakes.”

Kitchen with walnut wood shelves in Tokyo flat interior by I IN
The kitchen cabinets are rendered in the exact same wooden

To overcome this preconception, I IN was commissioned to convert a 56-square-metre just one-mattress in a 1980s household building into an understated luxury residence.

Established within Tokyo’s eastern Suitengūmae neighbourhood, the flat attributes an open up-plan structure with the kitchen, living space and bed room all situated in a person related space.

Reeded glass partitions and wood cupboard in The Life concept apartment
Reeded glass partitions different the rest room from the dwelling space

The kitchen sits at just one conclude of the flat even though the bed room sits at the other, with the bed hidden from check out guiding a developed-in walnut sideboard that the architects said serves as a “soft separation”. To independent these two domains, the living place was positioned at the centre of the room.

I IN integrated a palette of neutral colors and delicate textures throughout to build a gentle, restful and calming atmosphere.

Bathroom entrance with glass walls and decorative vases in The Life concept apartment
The screens permit gentle to filter into the windowless rest room

Reeded glass partition walls let light to penetrate into the windowless bathroom and bathroom although pink walnut joinery, polished chrome lighting fixtures and off-white stucco walls have been chosen to evoke a perception of luxurious.

“We required to present the picket architectural essence from previous Japan by the texture of the wooden and the 3-dimensional levels of light-weight, which you see in sci-fi videos,” I IN informed Dezeen.

“The soft atmosphere from the slit light-weight and textured glass was also critical.”

In the upcoming, the studio states the strategy is to roll the layout out to other buildings in central Tokyo.

I IN, which was launched by interior designers Yohei Terui and Hiromu Yuyama in 2018, was previously shortlisted for little retail inside of the year at the 2020 Dezeen Awards.

Bedroom with built-in wooden wardrobe and reeded glass partitions in interior by I IN
The bedroom is hidden from view thanks to one more glass partition

Other renovated Tokyo flats showcased on Dezeen contain an overhauled 1960s condominium by structure studio Minorpoet, which has its kitchen area hidden behind folding picket doorways, and a refurbished flat by architect Masatoshi Hira the place a family members of four shares one particular bedroom, residing area and wardrobe.

Pictures is by Tomooki Kengaku.