Article source: Yoshihiro Yamamoto

In Japan, large-scale urban redevelopment and reorganization is progressing, and companies are concentrating on the skyscrapers in the downtown area, so a lot of small old office buildings are left over. As the population of Japan decreases, vacant buildings are increasing more and more. The number of young people who find value in old buildings is increasing, but they do not gather in the decayed ruins. We were consulted from the owner of a small office building completed in 1971 in Osaka city. Although the interior finish was deteriorated and really bad condition, concrete framework and retro materials were beautifully aged. We suggested refreshing the building drastically and changing it into an office complex targeting creative people such as designers, architects, and artists. We carefully picked up good parts such as tiles, sashes and handrails, removed unnecessary signs and equipment, and returned to simple condition. We removed all of the interior, returned it to the framework of the concrete, and changed the layout to suit the contemporary needs. We planned rental office of various sizes , shared kitchen and lounge from 1st floor to 3rd floor. And we designed 2 SOHO rooms which have a cube containing sanitary on 4th floor. We also reinforced the structure by concrete wall and steel brace because this building is located directly above an active fault. The Mansard-shape steel brace facing the street became the icon of this building.

Image Courtesy © Yohei Sasakura

• Architects: Yoshihiro Yamamoto
• Project: Okayama Building
• Location: Osaka City, Japan
• Photography: Yohei Sasakura
  
• Structural Design: Ooishi Co., Ltd.
  
• Construction: Mitoma Co.,Ltd.
  
• Site Area: 155.16 m2
  
• Building Area: 122.40 m2
  • 1F: 155.16 m2
  • 2F: 119.33 m2
  • 3F: 119.32 m2
  • 4F: 108.88 m2
  • 5F: 19.08 m2
  • Total: 459.35 m2
• Construction Period: 2015/7/21 – 2017/1/12

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