Jingumae Project, Tokyo Japan Calaqui Ichan Tlachihchihualiztli by Kazushige Masuya

Jingumae Project, Tokyo Japan Calaqui Ichan Tlachihchihualiztli by Kazushige Masuya is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Mahuizolli A' Design Award Bronse in Callitic Tlacauhtli ihuan Tlanextilizpan Tlachihchihualiztli Competition Category.

BronseCallitic· 2025

Jingumae Project, Tokyo Japan Calaqui Ichan Tlachihchihualiztli

by Kazushige Masuya

Client: Kazushige Masuya

Mahuizolli A' Design Award Bronse Winner in Callitic Category

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Verified Award Winner

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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Jingumae Project, Tokyo Japan Calaqui Ichan Tlachihchihualiztli

Jingumae Tlachiuhtli ce calnechicoltiliztli itech Harajuku, Tokyo, ixpan Togo Teopan. In L-tlacayotl tlanechicolli quinepanoa ome calmeh, ihuan in coltic tepamitl ihuan ilhuicatl cualtilia in nenemiliztli ipan chantli. In cuauhtomatl (chestnut), tetl ihuan matequitl ihpotoctic tehuilotl motequihuia ica achitzin tlachihchihualiztli ipan ixco, ic in yaxcayotl neci pani. In tepoztlatzacualoni motolinia ihuan occequi coltic tlamantli motlaxtlahuazqueh itech cemi tlacatl cuauhtiliztli. In parquet tlacactli ihuan tepoztlatzacualoni tlaixnextiliztli quinmoyollohtiliz in huehueh Japon tlachihchihualiztli itztetl ic. In tlalli tlapaltin quichihua ce yolseuhqui ihuan cualnezqui tlanechicoltiliztli ipan altepetl nemiliztli.

The Recognition

About the Mahuizolli A' Design Award Bronse

Jingumae Project, Tokyo Japan Calaqui Ichan Tlachihchihualiztli ca in quicuic in Mahuizolli A' Design Award Bronse, hueyi tlamahuizoliztli tlen momaca in cualli tlachihualli in motenehua ipampa yancuic tlamantli, tlamatiliztli ihuan ixtlamatiliztli. In quicuicah Bronse ca tlachihualli in quipia toltecayotl ihuan quinextia in cenca miac nemiliztli ihuan tlamatiliztli intlachihuanime. Ca quinequi in Jingumae Project, Tokyo Japan Calaqui Ichan Tlachihchihualiztli ca tlazohtli tlamantli, mahuiztic ihuan cualli. Ni dizayno in quicuic Bronse quipia cualli toltecayotl ihuan quitta in tlen tepiton. Jingumae Project, Tokyo Japan Calaqui Ichan Tlachihchihualiztli quipaquiltia in tlacah ihuan quitlamahuiztiltia in intlanequiliz.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: This apartment renovation facing Togo Shrine in Harajuku blends natural materials to create a modern East-meets-West design inspired by Taisho-era aesthetics. The L-shaped layout merges two units, with curved walls and ceilings enhancing flow. Materials like chestnut wood, stone, and hand-blown glass emphasize sustainability and craftsmanship. Earthy tones and natural accents create a serene yet elegant atmosphere, offering a new model for urban living that harmonizes nature and modern life.
Tags: Residence, apartment, natural materials, granite, solid wood, parquet, door
Production Technology: The sliding doors are crafted using a technique called sumimaru-gōshi, where the lattice is carved from a single piece of solid wood. Instead of attaching separately rounded pieces, the curves are directly shaped from one block of wood. This method achieves a simple yet elegant and softly refined impression.
Similarly, for other wooden elements, the curved (R-shaped) forms are also created by carving from single pieces of solid wood as much as possible, ensuring a sense of cohesion throughout the space.
Design Challenge: Since this project began during the unprecedented time of the COVID-19 pandemic, sourcing materials, furniture, and fixtures took far longer than expected. However, this situation allowed us to secure time for deep discussions with the client about fundamental questions: What truly makes a home livable? What defines comfort? As a result, the project became a kind of antithesis to the prevailing trend of prioritizing economic efficiency, prompting everyone involved to reconsider the essence of their work.
Research: We were asked to reconsider the standard interior and architectural modules to ensure the client could live comfortably. Through discussions, we carefully reviewed factors such as circulation widths, dimensions at corners, and the overall flow of daily life. As a result, some areas required more generous spatial allowances than usual. However, upon completion, the client expressed great satisfaction, feeling that the space had become a truly unique environment tailored specifically for them.
Inspiration: We created a space that feels in harmony with nature, as if bringing the serene environment and greenery of the shrine into the interior. Specifically, surface treatments were kept to a minimum to highlight the natural textures of the materials. Inspired by traditional Japanese lattice doors and patterns, these design elements are reflected in the parquet flooring and door detailing.
Project Duration: The project started in October 2022 and finished in November 2024.
Patents: Copyrights belong to Kazushige Masuya, 2024.
Team Members: Shinichi Itami(life design kabaya co.,ltd)
Senior Designer
Yuki Monden(life design kabaya co.,ltd)
Designer
Taeko Shinchi(life design kabaya co.,ltd)
Designer
Yukihiko Asaka(life design kabaya co.,ltd)
Construction Manager
Image Credits: Image #1: Photographer Daiki Morita, ZOOM, 2024
Image #2: Photographer Daiki Morita, ZOOM, 2024
Image #3: Photographer Daiki Morita, ZOOM, 2024
Image #4: Photographer Daiki Morita, ZOOM, 2024
Image #5: Photographer Daiki Morita, ZOOM, 2024