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The client’s trust in the architect is directly reflected in the finished building. Try to control every tiny detail and you may end up with a lot of good intentions but a bunch of half-baked ideas. By giving architects the freedom to experiment around a good brief, the chances of ending up with something unique and pushing the boundaries of what a building can do are higher.
Keiji Ashizawa’s latest residential project in Aoyama is a great example of the long-term trusting relationship between the Tokyo real estate family and one of Tokyo’s most popular architects. “I started working with the father of the family a few years ago,” Ashizawa said. “After several small restaurants, I was asked to design a dentist’s office for my brother, which led to the commission to build this house for my brother and his family.”
The exquisite Aoyama House designed by Keiji Ashizawa
After knowing clients for a long time, Ashizawa knows exactly what they like, and from their perspective, clients know they are safe with Ashizawa’s help. “Of course we discussed what was needed for the floor plan and some basic design concepts, but beyond that we had a lot of creative freedom,” said the architect.
The house is located on a 150-square-meter corner plot in Aoyama, one of Tokyo’s most fashionable neighborhoods. The house, with its pale yellow stucco finish and private balcony, looks relatively plain from the outside, but step inside and you’re delighted with the choice of materials and eclectic selection of modern art and furniture.
The most eye-catching feature is the unique Arai poured concrete wall. “This is a first for us. We were a little worried about how it would turn out and how customers would react,” admits Ashizawa. Araidashi is a traditional Japanese technique often used on screed floors or walls. Mix small stones with cement and use a stiff brush to expose portions of these stones before the mortar sets. To work on concrete, builders use a pressure washer to wash down portions of the outer layer immediately after removing the formwork. The result is an unapologetic, raw terrazzo-like surface that adds interest to an otherwise bland concrete finish. Combined with plastered walls, louvered concrete ceilings and gray floor tiles, this textural approach really makes the interior stand out.
Most of the wooden fixtures are made from dark walnut, which adds warmth to an otherwise cooler color palette. Details such as thoughtfully designed recessed door handles, custom lighting and an elegant metal and walnut spiral staircase further enhance the overall experience of the space.
Ashizawa also paid special attention to bringing in natural light. In the spacious basement used as a lounge/office, a series of fixed windows sit at ground level beneath the louvered facade, letting in soft indirect light through openings hidden behind beams. In the morning, a series of skylights create a beautiful pattern on the northwest wall of the double-height first-floor living area. Large north-facing windows in both the master bedroom and living area, combined with a planted terrace to the front, create a sense of space, open views and greenery despite the house’s central location.
The client’s collection of art and furniture further enhances the quality of the interiors. A large backlit painting by Julian Opie greets visitors in the hallway, while a piece by Todd James adds a splash of color to the kitchen.
Meanwhile, a range of vintage Pierre Jeanneret dining chairs perfectly complement the impressive dining table, which is made from a single solid plank of Japanese hardwood zelkova. “We actually used this piece of wood in a store that eventually closed, but it was too beautiful to let go of, so we decided to repurpose it as a dining table,” Ashizawa said.
Ashizawa is already designing two other homes for the same family – another residence in central Tokyo and a retreat in the suburbs. Trust is as important in construction as in other industries.
kejidesign.com
A version of this article appeared in April 2024 tablecloth*available in print format on the Wallpapers* app on Apple iOS and to subscribers of Apple News+. Subscribe to wallpaper now*
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