TORAFU architects designs spatially dynamic studio for amazon japan's fashion department

TORAFU architects has designed the photo studio and office for the fashion department of online retail giant amazon japan in tokyo. all four floors of the existing distribution warehouse were renovated to serve as the largest studio of its kind in the world. the project team has sought to create a studio that would possess both a dynamic spatial configuration and the flexibility to support various usages. set in a vast space with a floor area of 7500 m2 and a ceiling height of 6 m, the design capitalizes on the potential and sense of scale of the existing space by having a lounge that uses earthquake-resistant braces with a rust-proof coat of red paint and a truck berth ramp as well as the existing concrete walls which were simply cleaned up.

all images by daici ano

the first floor of japanese based firm TORAFU architects’ project is composed of the entrance, lounge, conference room, editorial studio, and library spaces. the entrance, whose entire space is sloped, is an illuminated runway using stage lights to give it the showiness of a fashion studio. leaving the entrance behind, clients are greeted by a large, newly-installed staircase. as for the polished GRC panels, the reverse sides where glass fibers are visible are used as surfaces, giving them an appearance of solid volumes extracted from a mining site. in the lower part of the large staircase is a tunnel that leads to the editorial studio and serves as a three-dimensional junction flow line that connects to the third-floor studio. the oak floor tiles in the breakroom lounge connect the space while simultaneously dividing it through the contrast with the existing concrete floor. also, soft indirect lighting envelops the hard space via the square-shaped upper lighting.

the project team has sought to create a studio that would possess both a dynamic spatial configuration

on the third floor are 16 photo booths separated by curtains where over 1 million photos and videos are taken yearly. for the flooring, a polished finish was applied to the existing concrete. on the east side with a view of the canal, a lounge space was established by making use of the large opening created to bring in the earthquake-resistant braces. the pendant line lighting with its random orientation also acts as a landmark to mark the spot where everyone can gather. the second floor serves as an office for full-time staff, offering a line of sight open to the outside on one side and to the entrance space on the other side. TORAFU architects’ design has aimed to provide space and a degree of freedom in its usage, including events, while functionally resolving logistics and the circulation of people.

the design capitalizes on the potential and sense of scale of the existing space