Creating a sanctuary in the city

Re-imaging a unique top floor apartment in Shibuya Tokyo we refitted the space as a warm sanctuary for our client.

e-360 Apartment - Hiroo Shibuya Tokyo

15sqm

Visualisation: Tectonic Design

Photography: Kumiko Inui

The warm heart

The studio's in this boutique apartment building in Tokyo were originally designed as paired back full floor austere spaces with no internal divisions. Our intervention into the top floor apartment was designed to soften this paired back aesthetic and functionality while maintaining the minimalist methodology and still taking full advantage of the 360 degree floor to ceiling glazing.

"The warm finishes and soft lighting applied to the apartment create a glowing beacon at the top of the building."

The apartments core and floor are lined in native Japanese Umbrella Pine Plywood panels that envelope the space in warmth and texture replacing the grey floor, white walls and rudimentary finishes.

Reworking the bones

The original apartment provided for no storage so we wrapped around the core bespoke built-in cabinetry and multifunctional furniture constructed from matching Umbrella Pine plywood and integrated into the space seamlessly. This provided ample hidden storage for our clients belongings without compromising the aesthetics. Together contributing to a more inviting and curated atmosphere.

"The space has become calm and light."

Additionally, all services and equipment have been repositioned and hidden in the cabinetry further simplifying the interior. All doors including the entry door have been reworked in matching plywood to ensure all elements blend into the select finishes.

Privacy

As the apartment was originally designed as a single space with all functions exposed within the space, including the toilet and bath we addressed privacy without compromising the open 360 degree nature of the space. The privacy was significantly improved by incorporating innovative solutions such as a fully retractable sliding partition door to the bathroom and placing only the shower and toilet in the secluded space. The basin is positioned in the open living area as a feature piece partly hidden down a narrow lined gallery.

These enhancements collectively transformed the apartment from a sparse function driven dwelling into a harmonious and efficient living environment.