Appartement Montparnasse: A Blend of Past and Present

Residential Design by Oka Architecture Design & Co. Ltd.

The inspiration for Appartement Montparnasse stems from a village in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, named after Montparnasse, Paris. This connection was first made by a Japanese poet in the 1930s, who noticed the similarities between the two locations, despite being oceans apart. Both areas were home to many artists, and this historical significance has been honored in the design of Appartement Montparnasse.

What sets this design apart is its departure from the typical manufactured homes with identical designs. Instead, it presents a living representation of the past and present, honoring the locals who occupied this area during the 1930s. Many of the building's furnishings have been refurbished, custom-made, or specially ordered from abroad, adding to the uniqueness of the design.

The realization of this design is a 26-story rental apartment house, themed as an 'Atelier of Living', where the past and the present coexist. The building, covered with white plaster, features a passage with an arch ceiling reminiscent of a church. The unusual wooden entrance doors add a lyrical touch to the design. The structure is made of reinforced concrete, with dimensions of W23M X L37.8M X H9.3M, and houses 26 units.

One of the key features of this design is the architectural window openings and skylights, allowing for natural sunlight and creating a sense of harmony between floors. The project was completed in the fall of 2016 in Moriicho, Toshima-ku, Tokyo, Japan. The design team included Takasago Structural Engineer for structural design, BEAMS Design Consultants for equipment, ORI IRO for planning, and HITSUJIGUSA for home accessories.

One of the challenges faced during the design process was the refurbishment of materials and the creation of custom handmade items. These were ordered from abroad, which posed a challenge to the work schedule and ensuring that the furnishings would align with the overall architectural and interior design scheme.

Appartement Montparnasse is a testament to the power of design to honor history while embracing the present. It's no surprise that this design was awarded Silver in A' Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award in 2017. This award is given to top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that illustrate outstanding expertise and innovation. These designs, admired for their strong technical characteristics and splendid artistic skill, showcase a remarkable level of excellence and introduce positive feelings, amazement, and wonder.