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Gig Antic By N Maeda Atelier

It’s increasingly difficult to buy a proper home in the city these days with rising properties prices and a general lack of available property. However, if you are lucky to come across a lot with a nice location and a nice price but has a small area, the Gig Antic might be the perfect model home for you.

WIth just an area of 52.06 square meters, the Gig Antic a 2-floor residential structure located in Yokohama, Japan and is designed by the architectural team of N Maeda Atelier.

Shot from the front

The 2nd floor

The 1st floor with the bathroom

While the design might not be for everybody, I feel that there are many elements here that was borrowed from the condominium concept that can be utilized in designing a compact home. The 2nd floor looks like a typical loft for a condo which with proper mirror placement and use of space helps in making the small space look bigger than it actually is. I’m not too much a fan of the bathroom located on the 1st floor as I feel they still could have used the space behind the kitchen to accommodate a small bathroom and perhaps make the 1st floor another living room space or another extra room or even make it the master bedroom.

The furnished 2nd floor

View from the top

I was trying to figure out where the master bedroom was placed for the home and I reckon it’s behind the working area on the upper part of the loft. If there was still space for a bedroom behind the working area, I don’t see why there can’t be a space for the bathroom behind the kitchen, which is the area below the master bedroom.

Aside from that minor flaw, I really, really love this design. It’s clean, spacious and has lots of light coming in. The overall design might have to be changed for the Manila environment, it might need a little more space around the lot for walls, parking space and a gate. I’m not architect but I guess around 80 square meters should be sufficient enough for those additional details and at 80 square meters, it should be still quite affordable for a 1st time home owner.

The Twin-Bricks House

In continuing my interest in modern Japanese architecture and design. I would like the present the following design by Atelier Tekuto.

This is the Twin-Bricks House located in Saitama, Japan. I like how it’s like two different spaces yet it blends seamlessly together. Another plus for me has been the use of natural light and wide spaces. I really like to have a place to live and work at that has tons of natural lighting. I guess it feels more relaxing and inspiring that way.

Found this through Jeansnow and Dezeen. Thanks!

Under Cover Japan

I’ve always liked looking at nice things, whether it’s girls, drawings, pictures, whatever.

Today, I shall share the office/laboratory of Under Cover in Tokyo, Japan. Now, what is Under Cover? Well those who follow Paris fashion shows should know the brand by now, headed by Jun Takashi. Well, no, I don’t follow fashion shows, but I know Jun Takashi because of his streetwear background.

In the early 90’s, Jun or Jonio as he is called, opened a shop named Nowhere in Harajuku. Together with his partner, Nigo, they sold limited and exclusive shirts designed and printed by themselves. And yes, it’s the same Nigo who is now the head of the multi-million A Bathing Ape label.

Without further ado, here are the pictures of the UC office. Designed by Klein Dytham architecture (KNa). Pictures and text also courtesy of KNa.

Undercover Lab is a building, which is undercover. Not only is it tucked away in the back streets of Harajuku but the site is also very deceiving. A 10m long narrow driveway leads to a 12m x 12m site at the rear.

The building houses a studio, press showroom, and office. A 20m long hanger rail to show the entire collection of one season was required. This is housed in a black tube running along the only 20m straight line on the site, which extends out over the entrance driveway. This cantilevered tube extends the building’s influence to the main street in a strong but stealth way.

The tube was made to look as anonymous as possible, almost like a shipping container where you have no idea of its contents. The tube also conjures up images of telescopes etc, which give the building a mysterious feel _ nobody knowing what quite is going on inside. So much so that some people may feel intimidated just walking under the tube if they are unannounced.