An ode to concrete, this new house in Tokyo is designed by Japanese practice Apollo Architects & Associates, headed by Satoshi Kurosaki. Featuring raw concrete inside and out, the house, called Grigio, was created as a simple box. It may appear closed off but the architect has cleverly carved out parts to make it light and open inside.
One cut-out volume makes way for the ground floor entrance and garage (which provides shelter for two cars). Carefully placed windows punctuate the facades, while terraces and a central courtyard at the one side of the building allow for plenty of light into the interior.
The commission came from a couple that enjoys cars and collects art, so the architecture team paid special attention to the property's windows and light angles. Decorative elements were kept to a minimum throughout to create a streamlined, minimalist appearance. At the same time, the refined colour palette features a simple grey scheme that helps create a sophisticated, gallery-like feel, perfect for art display.
Two levels above ground and a sunken basement floor contain a spacious arrangement that comprises the master bedroom suite, children's room, the family sitting room and an open plan living, dining and kitchen area. The courtyard sits at the volume's heart, centering the design.
Headed by architect Satoshi Kurosaki, the house featuring raw concrete inside and out
Its monolithic appearance is broken up by a central courtyard and a parking area carved out of the box volume
Despite its heavy concrete structure, the house is light and airy inside
Decorative elements were kept to a minimum and the colour palette features a simple grey scheme that helps create a sophisticated, gallery-like feel
The commission came from a couple that enjoys cars and collects art...
...so special attention was paid to the property's windows and light
Grigio spans two levels above ground and a sunken basement floor
These contain a master bedroom, children's room, family sitting room and an open plan living, dining and kitchen area
The courtyard sits at the building's heart, centring the design
-
The Pagani Residences is the latest ultra-luxe automotive apartment tower to reach MiamiRising up above Miami, branded apartment buildings are having a renaissance, as everyone from hypercar builders to crystal makers seeks to have a towering structure bearing their name
-
The spread of Butter: the Black-owned art fair where artists see all the profitsThe Indianapolis -based art fair is known for bringing Black art to the forefront. Venturing out of state to make its Los Angeles debut we speak with founders Mali and Alan Bacon to find out more
-
This café-restaurant in Mumbai feels like a warm hug in design formConceived by Studio RCI, Bomdia Brasserie is a comforting two-storey venue in the Matunga neighbourhood, where every detail invites you to linger
-
The Monthly Architecture Edit: Wallpaper’s favourite July housesFrom geometric Japanese cottages to restored modernist masterpieces, these are the best residential projects to have crossed the architecture desk this month
-
How an icon of Japanese Metabolist architecture took on a life of its own – even after its destructionWhen Kishō Kurokawa designed the modular Nakagin Capsule Tower more than 50 years ago, he imagined it boarding ships and travelling the world. Now it has, thanks to a new show at MoMA
-
Mayumi Miyawaki’s Fukumura Cottage puts this lesser-known Japanese modernist in the spotlightDiscover the little-known modernist architect through this private home in Japan’s Tochigi prefecture countryside
-
Aston Martin completes its first Tokyo townhouse, crafted by the brand’s design teamThis luxurious private house in Tokyo’s Omotesandō neighbourhood offers design and details shaped by Aston Martin, as well as features for the dedicated car collector
-
A Karuizawa house is a soothing, work-from-home retreat in JapanTakeshi Hirobe Architects play with scale and space, creating a tranquil residence in which to live and work
-
Naoshima New Museum of Art is a home for Asian art, and a lasting legacy, in Seto Inland SeaThe Naoshima New Museum of Art opens, marking a seminal addition to the Japanese island's renowned Benesse Art Site Naoshima; we explore Tadao Ando's design
-
Behind a contemporary veil, this Kyoto house has tradition at its coreDesigned by Apollo Architects & Associates, a Kyoto house in Uji City is split into a series of courtyards, adding a sense of wellbeing to its residential environment
-
Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa on harmony, nature and their RIBA gongThe SANAA duo are celebrating their RIBA Royal Gold Medal 2025 in London today, and talked to us about self-reflection, the year ahead, and the need to create harmony in our environment
