moss. forms patterned concrete facade for kuwasawa design school in tokyo

Kuwasawa design School pops up in Tokyo

Japanese architectural practice moss. constructs the new Kuwasawa Design School building in Tokyo, a place for future creators to explore design history and principles. The architectural concept draws from the inheritance of the Bauhaus philosophy incorporating it throughout the composition.

The project attends to the renovation of a building located not far from the current school edifice, strategically positioned to complement the existing faculty and elevate its functionality. The initial phase focuses on the first to fourth floors, utilizing the building’s long and symmetrical shape to create an open and efficient facility. The central areas of the first to third floors are designated as common spaces, flanked by event spaces, classrooms, and functional areas. Emphasizing connectivity with the outside world, the event space serves as a vibrant and adaptable public area, accessible directly from the entrance and designed to maximize visibility from the facade. The common spaces on the second and third floors feature benches and high tables, fostering student interaction and making the transition between classes more engaging. A remarkable feature of the fourth floor is its expansive outdoor area, providing views of Yoyogi Stadium and the lush greenery of Yoyogi Park. The decked terrace forms integrated benches, large tables, and counters, inviting students to enjoy the surroundings while studying or socializing.

all images by Koji Fujii | TOREAL

Bauhaus design philosophy informs the composition

Housed within a 1990s post office building, the structure boasts a distinctive concrete exterior that exudes a postmodern charm. Internally, the design team embraces the building’s old-fashioned ambiance, featuring marble-clad walls and wooden floors. To create a captivating contrast with the exterior, the interior undergoes a transformation into a neutral space, carefully curated for possible future modifications. With a focus on functionality and an urban aesthetic, the project displays minimal finishes and innovative design.

The budget is strategically allocated to maximize each room’s functionality, retaining exposed parts of the original structure for potential future updates. Embracing the Bauhaus design philosophy, the interior predominantly incorporates steel, glass, and concrete, representing the progression of modernism. The railing and sash designs draw from Dessau, adding a contemporary touch. Custom-made curtains, upcycled marble tops, and subtly curled railings soften the space’s clean lines. The neutral gray tones within the white box structure exude a balanced atmosphere, and cultivate a universal impression, providing a harmonious backdrop for students creative work.

the building has a characteristic 90’s postmodern look, so the interior is planned to be as neutral as possible

the several models of furniture change eye level height for different types of communication and work

the table is made of reused marble that was affixed to the wall before demolition

lounge space utilizing the distinctive architectural stepped form

the outdoor zone allows visual and spatial connection to the natural element

terrace evening view

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common space between classrooms on the second and third floors

the interior sublimates the details of the Bauhaus school building

entrance hall

flexible gallery space

project info:

name: Kuwasawa design School
designer: moss. | @moss._cd

location: Jinnan, Shibuya-Ku, Tokyo

photography: Koji Fujii | TOREAL

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom