This is a building complex for an architectural material company that mainly deals with import carpet and domestic acoustic absorption material. We renovate and expand the existing building which has a basement floor and 3 floors above the ground. Because of the difference in ground level, the basement floor has open space on its south side, but on its north side, it can’t get daylight. We need to carefully design the expanded volume so as not to block the daylight into the existing space.
Project Name: BMLZ Villa Office
Architect Name: Tsutsumi & Associates
We studied a lot of models, like hollow volumes around the central court or several separated volumes, and finally decided upon a simple box. In consequence, on the one hand, its volume is just a simple box with a lot of random openings on its walls and roof, on the other hand, the 4 scattered small courts make the planned complex.
Because the openings of the small courts are restrained so that we feel it “inside”, but inside we can see trees and receive enough daylight from toplights so we feel it “outside”, of course, the existing area also receive enough daylight. That is to say, the inside and outside are reversed, or those are merged.
The ceiling of the office area on the first floor is designed as a sawtooth ceiling, adding the fake beams to hide the existing beam. By putting the lighting at the internal corner of the ceiling, as if the daylight from the sawtooth ceiling adds rhythm to the office place and it is filled with sufficient and homogeneous light.
On the second floor, galleries, conference rooms, and the president’s office are required, and each room is separated with glass partitions. That partition is cranked to unevenness and Ivy is hanged inside glass alcove. Coupled with the black colored glass on the corridor, the uneven glass irregularly reflects the scenery and adds unusual effect to the ordinary life.
In the residence on the 3rd floor, space is design as minimal in which gray is set as the base color. Indirect lighting that illuminates the wall and ceiling is arranged in a balanced manner, making it a comfortable space enveloped in warm light.
