Jingumae Project, Tokyo Japan Ukwakhiwa Kwangaphakathi Kwendlu Yokuhlala by Kazushige Masuya is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Umklomelo Webhulonzi we-A' Design Award in Ukudizayina Ingaphakathi Competition Category.
IbhulonziIngaphakathi· 2025
Jingumae Project, Tokyo Japan Ukwakhiwa Kwangaphakathi Kwendlu Yokuhlala
Client: Kazushige Masuya
Umklomelo Webhulonzi we-A' Design Award Winner in Ingaphakathi Category
- 9,542
- Verified Award Winner
- Verify Award Status for #172899
The Design
About Jingumae Project, Tokyo Japan Ukwakhiwa Kwangaphakathi Kwendlu Yokuhlala
I-Jingumae Project iwuhlelo lokuvuselela ifulethi eHarajuku, eTokyo, ebheke i-Togo Shrine. Ubume obunjengonobumba u-L buhlanganisa amayunithi amabili, kanti izindonga nophahla okugoqekile kuthuthukisa ukuhamba ngaphakathi endlini. Uphayini we-chestnut, itshe kanye nengilazi ecushwe ngesandla kusetshenziswa ngokulungiswa okuncane kobuso, ukuze imifanekiso yemvelo isale ibonakala. Iminyango eshelelayo namanye amasici agoqekile abazwe esikhathini esisodwa sokhuni oluqinile. Ipulangwe lomgibe kanye nemininingwane yomnyango kukhumbuza amaphethini endabuko yesiJapane e-lattice. Imibala eyimvelo idala isimo esizolile futhi esihloniphekile sokuhlala kwasemadolobheni.
The Recognition
About the Umklomelo Webhulonzi we-A' Design Award
Jingumae Project, Tokyo Japan Ukwakhiwa Kwangaphakathi Kwendlu Yokuhlala iwinile uMklomelo Webhulonzi we-A' Design Award, ukwaziswa okuhloniphekile kakhulu okunikezwa imiklamo ephawulekayo eyehlukaniswa ukudala, ubuhlakani nobukhali bengqondo. Abawinile beBhulonzi yimisebenzi enobuchule obukhulu nedala ngokumangalisayo eqinisekisa isipiliyoni esibanzi, umcabango nobuhlakani babaklami babo. Jingumae Project, Tokyo Japan Ukwakhiwa Kwangaphakathi Kwendlu Yokuhlala ilindeleke ukuba ibe yinto exatshwa kakhulu, edunyiswayo nethandwayo, enobungcweti obuphawulekayo nezinto ezintsha. Lo mklamo owinile uMklomelo Webhulonzi we-A' Design Award uhlanganisa izindlela ezinhle kakhulu ebuciko, esayensi, ekuklameni nasebuchwepheshe futhi uhamba phambili ngenxa yokunaka kwawo imininingwane. Jingumae Project, Tokyo Japan Ukwakhiwa Kwangaphakathi Kwendlu Yokuhlala iyanelisa izidingo ngokumangalisayo, ithinta izifiso, iheha imizwa futhi ikhanga ukufuna ukwazi.
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
Sponsored
Explore Beyond Designers.org
Discover products, services and opportunities from our advertising partners.
More to Explore
Related Designs
Explore more award-winning designs from the same category, selected by merit.
