Yokobori Architect & Associates has reimagined the concept of a residence with a project that treats living space as abstract art. Titled “AR-BSTRAC-T”, the design reflects a seamless fusion of Japanese aesthetics with a timeless dialogue between East and West, tradition and modernity. Every element in the home is treated like a brushstroke in a painting, blending spatial form and material into a living, breathing canvas.

For Yokobori Architect & Associates, art is more than decoration—it is a personal and emotional encounter. Inspired by the Japanese concept of Ichigo-Ichie, meaning “a once-in-a-lifetime meeting,” the home incorporates spaces where deeply personal objects and artworks can be displayed. Rather than relying on conventional shelves or frames, walls are subtly shifted or layered, creating voids that embody the Japanese ideas of Ma and Yohaku—the value of negative space and the beauty of emptiness.

Material selection plays a central role. Earth, wood, and stone establish a tactile connection to nature, while handcrafted finishes such as plastered earth walls and stone or wood floors create a sense of depth and warmth. Copper, a material cherished in traditional Japanese architecture, is used in door frames and baseboards, adding a quietly luxurious accent that evolves over time.

Yokobori Architect & Associates enhances this environment with design details like a custom rug handwoven by Tibetan artisans, stools representing celestial bodies from their own CASA BUKU furniture line, and doors surfaced with Washi and straw wallpaper. The home is located in a Tokyo neighborhood known for museums and galleries, and the design resonates with its artistic context.

This residence is more than a structure—it is a transformative space where art, culture, nature, and personal experience coexist in poetic harmony.

Architect: Kenichi Yokobori
Interior Designer: Tomoko Komata
Developer: NTT Urban Development Corporation
Construction Company: TAMARIX
Other companies involved: Atelier Nanjo
Photographer Credit: Nacása & Partners Inc.

Yokobori Architect & Associates has been selected as a finalist for The design et al Elite Awards 2025. 

design et al only work with the world’s leading companies in the design industry.

If you have any questions about the design et al Elite Awards, contact us using the button below: