Karimoku is an arm of the Japanese furniture manufacturer Karimoku Furniture Inc. that is behind an ongoing series of bespoke architectural and interior design experiments, in collaboration with Japanese architect Keiji Ashizawa and Danish design studio Norm Architects. The projects have focused on public spaces and residences, all the while building on a portfolio of furniture designs and reinforcing a distinctive collaborative identity.
Karimoku: Hiroo Residence, Tokyo
In the Hiroo Residence project the Karimoku brand took on a space at a Residence in central Tokyo as its canvas, and worked with Ashizawa to curate a modest and tranquil home.
Set in a parkside complex in Tokyo’s Hiroo district, the project creates a balance between light and wellbeing. The spaces are largely filled with furniture conceived of during previous Karimoku projects, now a 12-strong collection. The pieces include low sofas, armchairs and benches.
The living area
For the Hiroo Residence, Ashizawa and Norm Architects designed the ‘A-LB01’ sideboard and ‘N-DC04’ dining chair, which join the existing collection. Both are broad and sturdy but unimposing, in a light timber finish that adds to the apartment's airy feel. The 200 sq m residence sits overlooking a leafy park; the proximity to nature inspired an organic feel to the design and layout of the space, a haven amid the bustle of central Tokyo.
The Hiroo Residence brings together minimalist, traditional Japanese design with contemporary influences. Pocket sliding doors maximise the space, while simple, wooden wall hangings and woven seating elements create textural appeal. Both natural and electric light is used carefully, ensuring a sense of softness in the space, while a balance of curves and corners makes it feel at once organised and calm.
The living area
The bathroom
The walk-in wardrobe
The living area
The kitchen
-
A revamped Edinburgh apartment combines Californian-style modernism with modern craftArcher + Braun have transformed an apartment in a historic house with finely tuned contemporary additions and sympathetic attention to detail
-
Formafantasma’s biodiversity-boosting installation in a Perrier Jouët vineyard is cross-pollination at its bestFormafantasma and Perrier Jouët unveil the first project in their ‘Cohabitare’ initiative, ‘not only a work of art but also a contribution to the ecosystem’
-
Gingerbread City: architects sculpt London out of the season's favourite treatUntil December 29 in Chelsea, see London brought to life in a seasonal-appropriate medium by leading architects and designers
-
Scandinavian design meets Japanese heritage in OEO Studio’s Tokyo apartmentOEO Studio has collaborated with Japanese property developer ReBita on a luxury new apartment at Tokyo’s Opus Arisugawa Terrace & Residence
-
Snøhetta designs experimental culinary space in TokyoSnøhetta co-founder Craig Dykers discusses the architecture of Burnside – a Tokyo event space for art and design outfit En One and the Bronx chef collective Ghetto Gastro
-
Adam Nathaniel Furman’s colourful vision for a Tokyo apartment -
Tokyo story: our series of illustrated interiors is blossoming -
Interior Lifestyle Tokyo 2012 -
Found Muji
