photographer marc goodwin takes us inside japan's vibrant architecture studios

architecture studios captured by marc goodwin in japan

Expanding his documentation of workspaces in different corners of the world, Archmospheres photographer Marc Goodwin takes us today on a tour of architecture studios across Japan. This latest series is rooted in a personal project by architect, writer, and model builder Samuel Michaëlsson, who approached Marc to shoot several Japanese practices following the autumn of 2019, just before Covid 19. During that period, Michaëlsson traveled to Japan to interview the participants featured here. The collection of videos combines clips from Samuel’s interviews with Marc’s new work. ‘I’ve been working on a project for a number of years now, documenting (mostly) young Japanese architects and looking at how the architectural landscape there has changed drastically from one generation to another. I have conducted around 20 interviews over a period of three years,’ he tells designboom. From Kengo Kuma and Associates to Akihisa Hirata, Terunobu Fujimori, and Noiz, explore below the daily atmosphere of 16 different studios across Japan. 

all images © Marc Goodwin | @archmospheres

Atelier Fujimori

Marc Goodwin (see more here) begins his photographic tour in Japan, jointly with Samuel Michaëlsson, in Minami Aoyama, Tokyo. There, architect and historian Terunobu Fujimori found shelter for his current atelier in 2017, transforming the spaces of a converted residential building from the 1990s. Operating solo within the 815 square-meter structure, Fujimori is seen below, deep in focus with a pencil in hand, sketching out his latest ideas. 

Atelier Fujimori

Akihisa Hirata Architecture Office

The next stop is the Akihisa Hirata Architecture Office in the Nishi-azabu district of Minato-ku, Tokyo. The practice, founded in 2005, unfolds as a 323 square-meter space within a building erected in 1985. The structure itself holds a rich history, having served as both an office and residence prior. Today, Hirata is joined by a team of 21 dedicated creatives. 

Akihisa Hirata architecture office

Atelier Tenjinyama

Established at the intersection of architecture and art, Atelier Tenjinyama by Ikimono Architects is a five-people practice situated in Takasaki City, Japan’s Gunma Prefecture, occupying 62 square-meter within a relatively new building (erected in 2011).

Atelier Tenjinyama

Kengo Kuma & Associates

In Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Marc Goodwin captures the atmosphere of Kengo Kuma and Associates (KKAA), nestled inside the BY-CUBE building erected in 2003. With iconic projects spanning 40 countries, the globally praised architecture studio taps into the relationships between nature, technology, and human beings. Over 300 individuals contribute to KKAA’s vision, tackling a wide array of architectural forms, including urban planning. 

Kengo Kuma & Associates

Tsubame Architects

Tokyo-based Tsubame Architects describes its specialization as ‘social tectonics’. Founded in 2013 by Takuto Sando, Motoo Chiba, and Himari Saikawa, the firm features two divisions: the studio, where they perform the architectural design work, and the lab, which focuses on research to refine the framework in the design phase and devising ways to activate them in the post-construction phase. The studio’s work mainly focuses on interior design, including residential projects and workspaces.

Tsubame Architects

Tomito architecture

In the city of Yokohama, tomito architecture transforms a former house-office into a snug architectural workspace. Eight people collaborate within the 65-square-meter office, tackling projects ranging from stores and beauty salons to welfare facilities, residences, and gardens.

BASE

The visual tour continues with BASE, a shared office established by Unemori Architects and t e c o in the district of Asakusabashi, Taito. The 282-square-meter space tucks itself inside a renovated office and housing complex from the 1960s. Since 2020, the building has been pulsating with architectural energy thanks to a team of fourteen dedicated employees.

BASE

ondesign partners

Located in Yokohama, ondesign partners initially moved to the Taisei office Building in 2017, occupying the second floor before expanding to the first level in 2022 — totaling 380 square meters of studio space. Currently, the team joins 30 individuals working on site, with an additional 25 collaborating remotely. ondesign partners’ portfolio encompasses architectural design, community design, and place management.

ondesign partners

tato architects

For Tato Architects, Marc Goodwin took a trip to the heart of Kobe in Hyogo, entering a 45 sqm office housed within a relatively modern building. Originally featuring retaining walls, the structure witnessed a reconstruction in 2008; seven years later, the founders moved in with a team of twelve that specializes in residential design and public buildings of various scales. Three of its members work remotely and visit the office occasionally, as they live far away. Tato was founded in 1997 by Yo Shimada. 

Nori Architects / Norihisa Kawashima

Founded in 2017 by Norihisa Kawashima, Nori Architects finds its home in the neighborhood of Setagaya-ku in Tokyo. Taking up a modest yet efficient space of 45 square meters, the studio transitioned to this location in 2021, repurposing a mixed-use building from the 1970s. Within these walls, a team of six collaborates on sustainable architectural designs. ‘We pursue environmental design that allows us to reevaluate our values and behavior without losing this sense, even in densely populated cities such as Tokyo,’ the practice states. 

Nori Architects

NOIZ

On the third floor of the Miyoshi Building in Shibuya-Ku, Tokyo, Noiz Architects gathers a team of eighteen creatives to develop a portfolio mainly focusing on digital design, exhibition design, and installations. The practice took off in 2007 thanks to creative duo Keisuke Toyoda and Jia-Shuan Tsai. Kosuke Sakai joined as a new partner in 2016 before all three celebrated Noiz’s 15th anniversary in March 2022.

Keisuke Toyoda, partner at NOIZ Architects

Korogaro Association/ Kengo Sato Architecture Office

Traveling to the Otama Village in Fukushima, the photographer discovers a raw, 120 sqm local workshop used by Korogaro Association/Kengo Sato Architecture Office. The structure, previously a residence dating back to the 1950s, took on a new function in 2020, the year the practice of three moved in.  

Fuminori Nousaku + Mio Tsuneyama

Architectural duo Fuminori Nousaku and Mio Tsuneyama give Marc a glimpse into their 150 sqm practice in Nishioi, Shinagawa, Tokyo. Set inside a former private house built in 1987, the atelier of four focuses mainly on ecological architectural designs.

Fuminori Nousaku + Mio Tsuneyama

coop Kitakagaya

Marc Goodwin’s photographic series expands to Suminoe-ku in Osaka, where coop Kitakagaya takes over a 750 square-meter furniture factory, converting it into an architectural hub with eight on-site members. The actual team comprises twenty individuals, featuring artists, video editors, and woodworkers, among others. 

Coop Kitakagaya

Tezuka Architects

In Tokyo, Tezuka Architects presents a community of 20 dedicated individuals with expertise in shaping spaces tailored for children, public facilities, and beyond. The practice skilfully integrates spatial designs with the surrounding environment — ranging from intimate private residences to community-centric structures. Award-winning Founders Takaharu and Yui Tezuka have extensive experience designing spaces for children, namely the Fuji Kindergarten, which OECD and UNESCO have dubbed the best school in the world. 

Tezuka Architects

DDAA Inc. / DDAA LAB Inc.

Marc Goodwin concludes his photographic journey in Japan with DDAA Inc. and its subsidiary, DDAA LAB. Located in Tokyo’s Kamimeguro neighborhood, the practice has taken over 197 square meters within a converted garage. Dedicated to research and experimental design to solve social problems, the award-winning group was founded in 2010 by Daisuke Motegi and brought together 15 people under its roof. 

video © Samuel Michaëlsson