Schemata Architects reimagines machiya house with metal awnings for Uchida Shōten HQ

Local studio Schemata Architects drew on historic townhouses when creating this office along Japan's Tōkaidō road, which features a corrugated metal facade with window shutters that open "as if breathing".

The office building is located in Fujisawa City on the historic Tōkaidō road, which played a significant role during Japan's Edo era.

Exterior of Uchida Shōten office — Metal shutters open the office up to the street

Drawing on this historic location, Schemata Architects looked to machiya – townhouses that were common during the Edo period – when creating the company building for hardware manufacturer Uchida Shōten.

The 351-square-metre office, which replaces the company's old headquarters, has a structure of laminated timber made from Scots pine, designed to withstand earthquakes.

Closed facade of Japanese office building — Schemata Architects designed the head office to nod to traditional townhouses

At 33 metres long, nine-and-a-half metres tall and just over six metres wide, its elongated shape was designed to resemble a historic machiya.

"The width frontage is almost identical to that of a traditional townhouse," Schemata Architects founder Jo Nagasaka told Dezeen.

"The depth is longer than the existing building because the building coverage ratio is maximised at 60 per cent," he continued. "The height is kept within the regulatory limit of 10 metres, but is taller than a traditional townhouse."

Shutter detail — Its wooden interior can be seen from the outside

While the building's shape references historic structures, it has a modern look.

Made from corrugated steel, its street-facing northern facade features rows of large shutters, opening the building up to passersby.

"The awning windows on the north facade open onto the street as if breathing, allowing the presence of people to seep outwards," the studio said.

Meeting room in office by Schemata Architects — The pine wood's natural hue is exposed throughout the space

The office building is located in a "quasi-fire prevention zone," Nagasaka said, which meant its external walls must meet fire-resistant standards, informing the decision to use steel plates for the exterior.

"Within a design seeking contrast both internally and externally, we wished to position the external walls as the 'hari' – stresses – and the equipment, such as gutters and PVC pipes, as the 'meri' – reliefs," Nagasaka explained.

"We selected steel sheet as the 'hari' material, further opting for corrugated sheets," he continued.

"This minimises the visibility of horizontal joints and, due to its high drainage capacity, eliminates the need for drip edges, allowing the 'hari' expression to be maintained."

Interior of Uchida Shōten office — Wood and metal contrast in the interior

Inside the head office, the pine wood was left in its natural colour, which gives the interior a warm feel and creates a striking contrast against the corrugated-steel exterior when the shutters are open.

A spiral staircase connects the building's two main floors, ending in its low-ceilinged and fully wood-clad attic space.

People working in Japanese office — Schemata Architects designed the space for hardware company Uchida Shōten

As a hardware manufacturer, Uchida Shōten crafted the building's internal spiral staircase, a folded staircase and a south-facing balcony.

As well as workspaces, the company headquarters has a dedicated artist-in-residence area for makers and creators, ranging from students to professionals, at the front of the building.

It features facilities such as a sink and bathroom, and has access to the attic, where people can stay.

A sink inside office by Schemata Architects — An artist-in-residence space has its own sink

"Uchida Shōten is fundamentally a manufacturing company," Nagasaka explained. "As the company grew and expanded, with the factory becoming separate, the tangible sense of craftsmanship at hand diminished," he continued.

"To ensure this spirit of making was not forgotten, and to preserve that culture nearby, the vacant space placed at the front of the deep plot characteristic of a machiya townhouse has been transformed into an artist-in-residence facility."

Wood-clad attic — The attic is fully wood-clad

Nagasaka hopes that the addition of the artist-in-residence space at the front will encourage interaction in the neighbourhood and inform the evolution of the building.

"The intention is that the presence of those working there, seeping out through the fittings, will create a breathing architecture that stimulates neighbours and sparks communication," he said.

"Though newly built, the completion of the structure is not the end. It aims to be a company building that undergoes sustainable change, evolving as people gather, things are made, and uses transform."

Back view of Uchida Shōten office — Schemata Architects hopes the office will continue to evolve

Other recent projects by Schemata Architects include an ironworks that was turned into a cafe and brewery, and angular guesthouses clad in local timber.

The photography is by Ju Yeon Lee.

Project credits:

Architects: Jo Nagasaka / Schemata Architects
Project team: Shoichi Sato
Construction: Tokyo-gumi Co, Ltd
Structural design: Hashigodaka Architects
Signage design: Moeko Yamaguchi / NDC
Lighting design: Endo Lighting Corporation

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