nori architects turns a japanese apartment into a gallery-inspired living space

in the japanese city of saitama, nori architects has transformed a single room of a concrete apartment in order to serve as both a gallery and a residence. as the owner — yuji yoshida — collects antiques, modern pottery, and modern art, the project began with the intention of living and working in the company of beautiful objects. although the gallery is often closed to the public, and none of the objects are for sale, the semi-public space remains open to acquaintances of the owner, who often visit and sometimes stay overnight.

all images by kenta hasegawa, unless otherwise stated

located on the fifth floor of a six-storey building, nori architects stretched the gallery from the entrance without any barriers. the precious objects are placed in the gallery and on the shelf surrounding it, with layouts that change from season to season. part of the shelf leaves space for people to go through, while also serving as an entrance to the residential space — which receives plentiful daylight. the room can be adjusted with the help of blinds and curtains, which subtly transform the space.

nori architects transformed a single room of a concrete apartment

part of the shelf leaves space for people to go through

the room can be adjusted with the help of blinds and curtains | image by shinkenchiku

precious objects are placed in the gallery and on the shelf surrounding it

 the semi-public space remains open to acquaintances of the owner

the living space is located in close proximity to the window

the lounge receives plenty of daylight

the project began with the intention of living and working in the company of beautiful objects

the room is located on the fifth floor of a six-storey building

the translucent curtains subtly transform the space

the spaces serves as both a gallery and a residence

technical drawings | image courtesy of nori architects

project info:

name: yuji yoshida gallery / house
location: saitama, japan
use: residence with private gallery (renovation of one room of 43 year old reinforced concrete apartment, 5th floor of 6-story building)
total floor area: 47.41 sqm
structure: reinforced concrete (existing building)
interior finish (gallery): metal trowel finished mortar (floor), china plywood (wall, ceiling); lauan lumber core+ semi-transparent polycarbonate board (shelf)
project architect: norihisa kawashima
collaborators: kozo takase (environmental engineer), yuki tsutsumi / NUNO (textile design), yuji yoshida + ono takane / gallerytakamine (art arrangement)
client: yuji yoshida
construction: maruyasu shoten
photography: kenta hasegawa, shinkenchiku