Higashimukojima Mansion

2013

ID: 00000031

The existing buildings, located in the Sumida-ku region in Tokyo, were used as a brothel until the1950s. This project involves the conversion and preservation of the ornamental post-war buildings, highlighting the unique collaboration of the decorative western-like facades and the Japanese traditional floor plans. Shotaro examined cognitive diversion from the dark post-war’s remnant to the potential living space for young people in Tokyo. This project aims at reinterpreting the buildings within the modern context as a symbolic architecture that contain the historical narrative. Hence the building would be a witness of the history. With regard to the concept of a new building, by extension of the original timber structures, Shotaro merged each detached building into a united large mansion.