The brief was to create a space that would bring new life to the vacant first floor in a 33-year-old rental office building. The design response was to create open space segregated by rigid frame made of steel bars.
The building has central air conditioning, so it is necessary to maintain airflow throughout. The designers researched various materials that would not interfere with airflow, such as perforated panels, mesh, and louvers while also thinking about how ‘transparent’ atmosphere to encourage discussion in the space.
The project’s title, ReBar, derives from ‘reinforcing bar’, the mesh typically used to strengthen reinforced concrete. Ordinarily rebar is not visible on the surface, but in this project, it encloses the space, serving both a functional and design purpose.
The functional role of the rebar is to allow the liveliness of the activities to be seen and heard throughout the space. The hope is that this will inspire and positively impacts the office workers on the rest of the floor. The mesh walls also let fresh air and light pass through unobstructed.
PROJECT DATA
Project Name
ReBar
Client
Re-SOHKO inc.
Designer
Organic Design Architecture Studio
Architects
Hideo Kumaki; Yuichi Tada
Location
3-5-13, Kaigan, Minato Ku, Tokyo To, 108-0022, Japan
Completion Date
April 2019
Gross Floor Area
150 square metres
Photo Credit
Y.Okamura
