antwerp-based design label van hongo has created a layered curtain for the ‘miruru’ library situated in tochigi, japan. based on a proposal by urban architecture office (UAO), the initial design for the new public library did not include curtains although their installment was crucial to protect the books from UV rays. with the concept of a ‘forest rhythm’ in mind, lead designer izumi hongo has used folded and layered lace to introduce a lightweight curtain system into the bright interior. 

van hongo designs the layered curtain for the new public library in japan 5
image courtesy of daici ano

 

 

the team at UAO wanted their project to be accompanied by a special curtain system, custom made for this environment. after looking through van hongo’s previous fashion collections, the lead architects asked izumi hongo to craft a lightweight curtain, that looks just like her clothing and textile designs. 

van hongo designs the layered curtain for the new public library in japan 6
image courtesy of daici ano

 

 

the curtains are formed to be relatively light, decorating the space discreetly and allowing people to walk around them easily. the first floor houses the main library area, so the curtains were designed thicker to offer protection and privacy. on the other hand, the ground floor serves as an open common space, so the curtains are made transparent.

van hongo designs the layered curtain for the new public library in japan 1
image courtesy of daici ano

 

 

by folding a large single piece of lace fabric, the designer created curtains that generate an interesting gradation of light from ground to ceiling. with 0, 1, 2, and 3 layers from bottom to top, the random hemlines of the curtains connect and float around the architecture, just above the windows.

van hongo designs the layered curtain for the new public library in japan 2
image courtesy of daici ano

van hongo designs the layered curtain for the new public library in japan 4
image courtesy of daici ano

van hongo designs the layered curtain for the new public library in japan 7
image courtesy of kawashima selkon textiles

van hongo designs the layered curtain for the new public library in japan 10
image courtesy of daisuke sekine

van hongo designs the layered curtain for the new public library in japan 11
image courtesy of daisuke sekine

van hongo designs the layered curtain for the new public library in japan 9
image courtesy of daisuke sekine

van hongo designs the layered curtain for the new public library in japan 12
image courtesy of daisuke sekine

van hongo designs the layered curtain for the new public library in japan 8
image courtesy of daisuke sekine

van hongo designs the layered curtain for the new public library in japan 3
image courtesy of daici ano

 

 

project info:

 

name: miruru, nasushiobara city library
architects: UAO (urban architecture office) tokyo
curtain design: van hongo
curtain production: kawashima selkon textiles co., ltd.
location: nasushiobara city, tochigi, japan

 

 

 

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: myrto katsikopoulou | designboom