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.
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.”
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 outâ€. 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.
The contrast with nearby houses considerable to say the least.
Something that the neighbourhood’s more traditional tenants may, or may not, appreciate.
(click images for larger and more luminous lofts)
Paul says
Mentalism. I suppose if you like sleeping in playgrounds it might have some appeal.
Peter says
For some reason, I suspect these units will sell out quickly in Japan.
shinobi says
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!!
shinobi says
Though I guess it would be pretty sweet if that was all one house… then I’d live there.
Dusty says
Where in Tokyo can I see these lofts?
Lee says
They are in Mitaka Dusty, in western Tokyo.
Here’s a link to a map: http://www.architectural-body.com/mitaka/access.html
chocobo says
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.