R/URBAN DESIGN OFFICE LLC

Overview

This project is a comprehensive renovation of a 35-year-old corporate dormitory, transformed into a rental residence with integrated communal facilities. By strategically reconfiguring circulation paths, the former administrative and service areas have been reorganized into a series of diverse common spaces.

These areas are designed to foster a state of "nurturing solitude"—a spatial condition that allows residents to find individual repose while maintaining a subtle, non-intrusive awareness of the presence of others. Unlike conventional shared housing models that mandate social interaction, this design seeks a balanced coexistence between the "individual" and the "collective." It proposes a novel prototype for urban living that prioritizes personal autonomy and psychological comfort within a shared environment.


Decoding Existing Typology to Conceive a New Urban Model
This project involves the full renovation of a corporate female dormitory, originally built in 1991, into a rental residence adapted for contemporary urban life. The original structure consisted of administrative and communal functions on the ground floor, with 52 private units (approximately 20 m² each) on the upper floors.
In the renovation, the surplus space gained by eliminating the management functions was converted into an expansive "lounge" for residents. Rather than following the conventional "share-house" model that mandates social interaction, the design respects the autonomy of the private units—which are already equipped with necessary amenities—and seeks a communal form that does not force "sharing." By ensuring privacy while providing an enriched common area, this configuration offers a site-specific yet universal prototype for future urban lifestyles.

A Place for "Nurturing Solitude"
In a dense metropolis where individuals are constantly embedded in social networks, having the time and space to face oneself is an essential component of mental well-being. At fuu Oimachi by LATIERRA, we prioritized the ability to be alone. The goal was not "isolated loneliness," but rather "nurturing solitude"—a spatial condition where one can find individual repose while feeling the subtle, comforting presence of others. Departing from traditional shared spaces designed primarily for community building, we designed a space filled with diverse niches that affirm the fulfillment of being alone.

An "Incomplete" Space for Individual Presence
Embracing the constraints of renovation, where not every element can be fully controlled by the architect, we aimed for the freedom offered by an "incomplete space"—one where function and space do not have a one-to-one correspondence. The juxtaposition of the original concrete structural shell with irregularly inserted wooden platforms and walls creates a variety of "places" across both plan and section. Depending on their mood or activity, residents can discover their own "fixed spot," rearranging movable furniture or leaning against the irregular geometries. By naturally dispersing lines of sight through a complex floor plan, the space allows residents to immerse themselves in their own world while still acknowledging the presence of others.

Calibrating "Stagnation" and "Flow" through Circulation Reorganization
The quality of the living environment was enhanced by reorganizing the building’s interface with the city. The original main entrance facing the busy thoroughfare was relocated to what was previously a rear service entrance, positioning the lounge at the "dead-end" of the communal circulation path. This strategic shift transformed the lounge from a mere thoroughfare into a calm, stagnant space for staying. Conversely, the original entrance was replaced with a large fixed window, maintaining a visual connection to the city. This opening is draped with curtains made of four layered textures, allowing for delicate control over transparency between the interior and exterior. This creates the iconic scenery of fuu Oimachi by LATIERRA, where the "individual" and the "collective" coexist.

Use：Collective Housing
Area：215.216m²（Ground floor communal spave）
　　　1539.89m²（Total floor area）
Site：Tokyo, japan
Client：Tokyo Gas Real Estate Co.,Ltd.
Design：R/URBAN DESIGN OFFICE
Furniture(center table)：camp
Fablic：KNK
Construction eims
Photography：Kenya Chiba Photography