Home and Office

A MODO is a building that combines home and office spaces like blocks, and changes depending on the mode.By changing the architecture, we attempted to maximize the value of the building in the long term.

The lower floor

This is a renovated maisonette + penthouse. Each floor has two spaces on either side of the atrium, and a PH on the top floor.

The upper floor

The former fire exit has been repurposed as a secondary entrance, making it easier for the office and guests to coexist.

Diagram

This animation shows the diagram and elevation of the project. The objects are the maisonette + penthouse, and they are assumed that the entire space will be “resolved” into multiple components, which will be combined as residences or offices. The core atrium is surrounded by five empty rooms.

For example, if the Atrium is separated by a curtain, Room-C will have its own separate exit and a separate bathroom/plumbing area, making it suitable for use as a showroom or test-room facility. (View of the Atrium from Room-C)

A MODO

The title A MODO is a free translation of the Latin phrase "by mode." A MODO is a building that survives alongside its occupants, changing modes in this uncertain modern world.

Naturally decomposable materials

The gallery's main feature, the torn washi paper wall by Kumiko Uchida, is both an art piece and a material that can be repaired by the user.
kay (Kumiko Uchida)

The fixtures, some of the interior and walls are made of burnt cedar, which was produced through workshops held with students. The main finishes are plaster and wood, making maximum use of naturally decomposable materials while contributing to carbon sequestration.

Each room is empty, and dividers and furniture will be added as the space is used.

Environmental and Disaster Prevention Technology

The designer is also an adjunct Researcher in an environmental (building disaster prevention) laboratory. In this project, environmental and disaster prevention technologies (Balanced ventilation using total heat exchangers, heat insulation renovation using internal wall insulation and double window, green walls, etc.) were also incorporated. Smoke exhaust windows, which are no longer required by current regulations, were retained for fire safety and utilized as gravity ventilation exhaust vents, and slits were designed as ventilation paths. A solar water heater and photovoltaic generation system were installed on the rooftop, and the photovoltaic generation system has a V2H function that can feed and charge power to and from company vehicles on the ground.

ZEH Oriented

　Although it is a renovated property, it has performance equivalent to a ZEH-oriented building (according to our calculations). In the event of a disaster, a BCP is also envisaged, whereby the residential area can be reduced and employees from nearby offices can be invited in.

Construction

This project was constructed by SUZUKI Construction, a company　run by the designer. SUZUKI Construction is a long-established carpentry company that has been in business for 78 years in 2024, but also renovates by design-build home and other projects using the skills they have acquired in specialized construction. For the interior finish, we used an abundance of lumber purchased from logs and stored at SUZUKI Construction (cooperation: Ogra Co., Ltd.). For the ceiling of the living room, we designed a coved ceiling utilizing the duct shape of the total heat exchanger, and the 3D-printed member was used as the wall substrate for the 3D-curved surface at the internal corner.

Vision

The designer will continue to develop projects that are in harmony with the environment, maximize the value of the building stock, and enjoy the act of building with SUZUKI Construction.