NE Apartment by Akiyoshi Takagi, Yuji Nakae and Hirofumi Ohno

Japanese architects Akiyoshi Takagi, Yuji Nakae and Hirofumi Ohno have collaborated on NE Apartments, a block of eight apartments for motorcycle enthusiasts in Tokyo.

This 8-unit rental apartment house complex was designed to house motorcycle enthusiasts, with a built-in garage included in every unit. The building is located on a flag-shaped plot near the apex of a triangular block, with a certain degree of open space toward the main road to the south.

The c-shaped design was a practical decision to allow the residents to access their apartments through a common alley that leads right to the center of the complex. The walls separating each apartment unit were disposed in a radial pattern, each with a gentle curve that leads them to meet the external wall at a right angle. By connecting the angles of each room, the curved walls contribute to give the impression of a more spacious environment.

On the entrance side, each floor is fitted with a continuous strip of curved windows, with a comparatively wider opening on the second level. The orientation of each room was set to avoid a direct view of the opposite apartment. Combined with a double-paned window, this setting provides a peculiar feeling of privacy.

Tags: Apartments, Hirofumi Ohno