The objective for this residence in Tokyo, Japan was to make the interior as spacious as possible, while maintaining a secure and secluded look from the outside. In order to achieve this, the architects made the living, dining and kitchen on the top floor, allowing for these areas to take as much light in as possible. All of this is enclosed together with a courtyard, dubbed ‘Floating Patio’, with walls to prevent gaze from the outside.

The basement includes another thin courtyard, to link the top courtyard, and allow for light to pass through and illuminate the bedrooms and bathrooms, although they are located in the basement.

The client desired a simple residence with a interior wide open inside but cannot be perceived from outside. This wish became the entire concept of the residence.

The first floor that is inserted between two private spaces on the top and the bottom is designed as more intimate space to the outside world compared to the two different floors. The Japanese-style room on the floor is designed to hold tea ceremonies. The second floor ‘ s floating structure serves as a large roof for the first floor which created the open and dynamic space around the structure surrounding the Japanese-style room. The space is analogous to Roji-a designed alley in the context of traditional Japanese garden and the Japanese-style room will become a tearoom in the Roji.

This project is the atelier of a Brooklyn-based artist, KAWS. Unlike the solid, brick facade that blends well into the neighborhood, the interior is a vastly open space. This bright, extensive openness illuminated with toplight is a result of the artist’s request to create large paintings under natural light. The appearance is more of a gallery than an atelier, with a simple composition that reduces detail and amplifies openness.

This minimal house by Japanese studio Tato Architects in Kanagawa, Japan is compromised of three storeys with split levels, often connected with aesthetic steps and step-boxes, often featuring clean white walls, with wooden and concrete floors and accents which deliver a minimalistic look, while increasing the perceived space throughout the house. Large windows and a lot of daylight allows the white walls to illuminate the whole house, creating a space that is friendly, appearing much bigger than it is.

The overall feel of the house both inside and out is industrial but at the same time welcoming; utilising the smallest details such as green vegetation in the corner of hallways to create a warm, natural feel. Japan is notorious for having small spaces for houses, which is why Japanese designers and architects are extremely creative in the way they use all available space.

To celebrate the release of his new album ‘GIRL’, Pharrell Williams has collaborated with gallery owner Emmanuel Perrotin; bringing us an eclectic mix of 48 different artworks as an exhibition at Galerie Perrotin at the historic Salle De Bal in Paris. The show ranges through an expanse of media and aesthetic, yet ties creatively under the theme of femininity.

12 specially produced pieces have been made for the event, interpreting the subject through vibrantly colored paintings, large-scale sculpture and installations. The selection of 37 artists includes 18 females, with Marina Abramovic & Ulay, Tracey Emin, Yoko Ono and Paola Pivi participating in the celebration of women, individuality and creativity.

After the launch party for my new gallery in New York in late 2013, Pharrell took a few of us to listen to the first 5 tracks of his upcoming album GIRL. The songs put us in such a good mood that we danced to all of them. At this moment, we realized that this tribute to women was going to be a worldwide success and would represent a shift in his career. Pharrell made us feel like we were part of it. This project at the gallery in Paris is a natural continuation of this adventure.
Emmanuel Perrotin

Among the works created specially for the exhibition are a large circular painting by Takashi Murakami (a tribute to Pharrell and his wife in her wedding gown), a sculpture by Daniel Arsham made of broken glass (in which a full body cast of the artist was made), a laser portrait of Marilyn Monroe by Gregor Hildebrandt, a new work on canvas by KAWS of Lucy Van Pelt from the popular ‘peanuts’ series and special projects with Guerrilla Girls, Rob Pruitt and JR, for whom Pharrell created the soundtrack of his latest film.

With a passion for modern architecture and an international understanding of style, the homeowners approached the architects seeking something unique and suitable for their growing family. The home’s quiet street setting gives no indication of the dynamic coastal views accessible from inside, and this feeling of revelation became the starting point for the design.

A simple line separating public from private, the first move about which the house begins, starts the dialogue. This wall is punctuated with a sliding panel and is then drawn up to reveal the striated walnut garage door that continues the plane. The woven-steel panel is the gateway to the interior courtyard and private dominion. As seen from inside the courtyard, the enceinte transforms into an exterior fireplace and backdrop for the glass-like pool. A wall of foliage on one end provides a panel of green to complement the shimmering blue water; on the other end, a continuous fountain creates a soothing soundtrack.

The house itself takes advantage of these two exterior spaces, interior courtyard and exterior view, with a wrapper of sliding doors that, when open, turn the house into an outdoor pavilion. A juxtaposition of lacquered cabinetry set against painted brick walls, and aged wood floors in contrast to stark white walls further emphasize the balance of sophistication and style that make up this home.