Keiji Ashizawa Design Co., Ltd

Ao Studio

AO STUDIO

Keiji Ashizawa Design

Ao Studio
©Takumi Ota Photography

PROJECT TEAM
 Keiji Ashizawa, Kentaro Yamaguchi

PHOTOS
Takumi Ota Photography (6)

YEAR
2013

LOCATION
Saitama, Japan

TYPE
Residential › Apartment

Ao Studio
©Takumi Ota Photography

Ao Studio by Keiji Ashizawa Design is a renovated apartment for a young working couple, located in Saitama prefecture, Japan.

The layout of the apartment reflects the lifestyle of the clients, a pattern-maker and restaurateur, whom both required specialist spaces to allow them to work from home. They also wanted a relaxed, spacious living area where they could enjoy entertaining friends.

Ao Studio
©Takumi Ota Photography
Ao Studio
©Takumi Ota Photography

In response to their needs, Keiji Ashizawa Design removed all existing internal partitions, revealing a light filled space with several large windows - one connecting to an external balcony almost the size of the apartment itself.

An open plan living space with adjoining studio are at the centre of the new arrangement, with bedroom and bathroom, hidden from sight, within a brightly coloured blue pod - in this sense, the apartment functions more as an open studio, with importance given to the notion of activity and gathering.

Ao Studio
©Takumi Ota Photography
Ao Studio
©Takumi Ota Photography

Built-in furniture was incorporated into the design where possible to emphasis openness - in the dining room, a bench seat also serves as a step to the outdoor living space.

Ao is the Japanese word for the colour ‘Blue’.

Keiji Ashizawa Design Co., Ltd
T +81 35 6895597 F +81 35 6895598
Keiji Ashizawa Design Co., Ltd
2-17-15 1F Koishikawa Bunkyo-Ku Tokyo 112-0002, Japan