06/2011

CADRE

Photos: Masao Nishikawa

The town of Uonuma in Niigata Prefecture is located in an area that receives some of the heaviest snowfall in Japan every winter, with buildup of up to 2 to 3 meters. It is well known for its proximity to the area where the Great Chuetsu Earthquake struck in 2007.
In order to design this residence for a young husband-and-wife couple in their thirties, we decided on a reinforced concrete structure able to withstand the impact of a large earthquake. The building itself features a high-floored second storey floating in midair that can handle a snow buildup of up to 3 meters.
The broadly-spaced pilotis accommodates enough parking space for four cars, in addition to incorporating an entrance and storage space for machinery and equipment that would not be obstructed or hampered by any snow buildup.

>> Read More



Projects and initiatives in South Korea

Thanks to President Lee Myung-bak's "World Design Capital Seoul 2010" slogan, the South Korean capital has evolved rapidly in its quest to become a world-class global design hub.
Seoul is home to a huge number of architectural masterpieces designed by starchitects from Europe, the US and Japan. Since 2007, our office has also been working to realize several projects in the capital, experiencing firsthand the potential of design commissions in Seoul.

A street in Seongbuk-dong with residential buildings situated on large plots.

Located in Seoul's Seongbuk-gu district where our Korean office is based, Seongbuk-dong is an area dotted with many foreign embassies and art galleries. It is also a well-established and pleasant, high-quality residential area that has long been home to leading members of the country's chaebol (financial conglomerates).
Similar to Japan, South Korea is experiencing a rapidly aging population. The sense of belonging to a family or local community continues to weaken, and Seongbuk-dong is no exception - the strong communities in the area are at risk of disintegrating due to a steep rise in land prices and the large surface area of plots.

We designed a suite of residences in Seongbuk-dong by dividing a large plot of land measuring several hundred square meters into 2 or 3 sections. The project was commissioned by a couple who wanted their children to live together with them. This was not just a matter of designing a home, however. We sought to create a space furnished with vintage Scandinavian furniture, paintings and contemporary art that would not become dated even one or two hundred years later. This project offered us the chance to become involved in a long-term project by working in collaboration with local developers.
Our design methodology and proven track record in residential design with some 70 completed projects in Japan have won us much acclaim. In addition to the planning, design, administration and branding, we also supervised the onsite pouring of high-quality unfinished concrete slabs while overseeing the overall execution of the project.

Today, Seoul boasts a strong design ethos accompanied by a palpable desire to improve the human environment. Its architects and designers combine ideas from practitioners around the world and realize them with an intensity and enthusiasm that far outstrips the situation in Japan. The three leading East Asian countries of Japan, Korea and China need to take the lead in the future global design industry, and not limit themselves only to Asia.

Although Japan suffered heavy losses in the recent earthquake, its Asian neighbors demonstrated their solidarity by working together as a single team and offering aid and assistance. We at Apollo Architects and Associates also hope to spread the "Made in Asia" brand throughout the world by breaking down barriers in the design field, actively seeking to transcend national boundaries and promote meaningful discussion that helps to create exemplary instances of architectural design.

Above Left: SBD25, one of our projects currently under construction.
Above Right: A warehouse collection of vintage Scandinavian furniture. Some of these pieces will also be used to furnish residential projects that are currently under construction.
Right: Printed with the names of all the project members, this fence conveys the message that all the team members worked together in order to accomplish a single project, in addition to serving as a point of interest for the local residents of Seongbuk-dong.



SMALL HOUSE SERIES
Micro homes by Apollo whose small size makes them unique


Vol.01 "FOLD"

Built on a plot measuring 45 square meters, Fold is a residence for a husband-and-wife couple in their 30s. Due to the complicated shape of the plot and various legal restrictions, the house features an extremely distinctive shape that perfectly expresses the owner's unique sensibilities.
From the outside, viewers can see an additional opening on the inner balcony that overlaps the inside of the large window facing the road, creating an impressive sense of depth.
In Tokyo, small homes are not seen in a negative light. Rather, as the owner of this house well understands, smallness gives homes a unique personality. (Photos: Masao Nishikawa)

Current situation in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake

How did Apollo buildings fare?

The massive earthquake and tsunami that hit eastern Japan on March 11th 2011 as well as the resulting nuclear accidents caused widespread damage to the Tohoku and northern Kanto regions. Thanks to their precise construction and workmanship, the three residential buildings in the affected areas that were designed by Apollo suffered no damage whatsoever, and the owners of these houses have been carrying on with their normal lives just as before. The damage sustained by the surrounding areas, however, was extremely serious. The area around the Fukushima nuclear reactors, in particular, faces a grueling struggle to return to some semblance of normality.
Two months after the quake, we have finally received news that construction at sites affected by the disaster can now resume. Although many of those involved in the construction work were also among the earthquake victims, they are carrying on with a positive outlook and hoping for a speedy recovery.
We at Apollo hope to share the true joy of living with local residents by playing a more proactive role than ever before in designing residential buildings in eastern Japan - something that we feel is our mission.
(Photos: Masao Nishikawa)

LIFT: Sendai, Miyagi Pref.

EDGE: Sendai, Miyagi Pref.

FLOW: Urayasu, Chiba Pref.

APOLLO architects & associates :
The name "Apollo" originates from Apollon, god of sun and light in Greco-Roman mythology. The firm was named in 2000 with the hope of pursuing architecture composed of the simple materials of "light" and "shadow", while also aiming to become a luminous presence within the city and society.
www.kurosakisatoshi.com

Reproduction of any of these images and texts without written permission is prohibited.
Copyright (C) 2011 Neoplus Sixten Inc. All Right Reserved.