NGK/NTK Venture Lab Tokyo
Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan
Located on the 13th floor of an office tower in Shinagawa, Venture Lab Tokyo is a 260㎡facility dedicated to showcasing the clients core technologies utilizing fine ceramics and promoting active engagements with potential partners to co-create products in the field of medicine, environment and next-generation vehicles.
The brief called for a reception, lounge and exhibition space within a typical open plan office space surrounded by meeting rooms and a VIP room. The distinguishing feature of the facility is an exhibition space contained within a multifaceted glass enclosure inserted into a rigid rectilinear space. Several triangular voids generated between the contrasting forms serves as functional corridors and establishes its dynamic identity.
Within the exhibition space, 9 bespoke display tables lined with gravel infused plaster evokes the raw state of ceramic. The clients core technologies are explained and illustrated in detail through AR-capable tablets and large-scale video projection. Level of privacy required for various scenarios are controlled though electrochromic films applied to all glass surfaces within the facility.
The principal proposition of the project is to propose a distinctive spatial composition that attempts to break the rigid image of a conventional working environment. The multifaceted crystalline form of the exhibition space generated voids that possessed great flexibility and make reference to the client’s corporate identity of crystallizing ceramic at a nano scale.
Hotel U
Japan
Hotel U is a transportable residential unit that forms a small community when combined. The dimension of the unit follows the strict road safety laws of Japan to ensure that it can be towed to any desired destination. The unit can be transported to seasonal events, music events, local festivals, camping sites and any remote locations where local accommodation is limited. The unit can also be converted to food trucks or any other commercial function. The approximate unit cost is 3 million yen and no hookup to underground utilities is required.
The beauty of the transportable hotel is that one can secure a comfortable accommodation in the most remote locations imaginable. The guest can be immersed in the wilderness and escape from the stressful city life. The expansion of the hotel is limitless and once a small community is born, a new destination can emerge and disappear swiftly unlike traditional hotels. People working remotely from their offices may see this as a great alternative.
Visualisation by Kakizoe Architects