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Mar 08 2007 8 Comments

Technicolour Tokyo

The Reversible Destiny Lofts housing project by designers Arakawa and Gins has been covered by numerous sources since its completion in Tokyo about 18 months ago, but to see the psychedelic structure up close and personal is something completely different altogether.

Tokyo Reversible Destiny Lofts

Purposely created with uneven floors, awkwardly positioned light switches and a veranda door that has to be crawled through means that the homes are even more eccentric on the inside — an approach that its creators claim “makes you alert and awakens instincts, so you’ll live better, longer and even forever.”

Tokyo Reversible Destiny Lofts

Now how true that is remains to be seen, but residents will certainly have to live life a little more sparingly, as none of the apartments contain any closets or storage space; a potential problem owners will apparently “learn to figure out”. Yet regardless of the building’s boasted benefits, it undoubtedly adds a dash of much needed colour to what would otherwise be just another staid suburban street.

Tokyo Reversible Destiny Lofts

The contrast with nearby houses considerable to say the least.

Tokyo Reversible Destiny Lofts

Something that the neighbourhood’s more traditional tenants may, or may not, appreciate.

Tokyo Reversible Destiny Lofts

(click images for larger and more luminous lofts)

Categorized: Photography

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Paul says

    3/8/2007 at 11:50 pm

    Mentalism. I suppose if you like sleeping in playgrounds it might have some appeal.

    Reply
  2. Peter says

    3/9/2007 at 2:12 am

    For some reason, I suspect these units will sell out quickly in Japan.

    Reply
  3. shinobi says

    3/9/2007 at 7:19 am

    Those things look like bigass hampster playgrounds to me. I’d be embarrased to even visit someone in a place like that, nevermind actually living there!!

    Reply
  4. shinobi says

    3/9/2007 at 7:20 am

    Though I guess it would be pretty sweet if that was all one house… then I’d live there.

    Reply
  5. Dusty says

    3/12/2007 at 12:32 am

    Where in Tokyo can I see these lofts?

    Reply
  6. Lee says

    3/12/2007 at 10:35 am

    They are in Mitaka Dusty, in western Tokyo.

    Here’s a link to a map: http://www.architectural-body.com/mitaka/access.html

    Reply
  7. chocobo says

    3/25/2007 at 9:51 am

    I live in the Mitaka area, and I have to pass through that complex every time I go buy my groceries. I noticed that building once and thought it was some kind of playground or preschool. Oddly enough, no one else seems to have noticed it.

    Reply

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