Kengo Kuma's firm Kengo Kuma & Associates has completed a new office building in Aichi, Japan, wrapped by wooden lattice from two façades to create warm and humane atmosphere.

Titled Hekikai Shin-yo Kinko, the 4,140-square-metre office building serves for the bank and is situated at the center of Nagoya city. The building welcomes its users with a big green void placed at a point facing the intersection of the building. This volume is designed as a "cubic green" that joins the ground and the rooftop. 

"Our planning aimed to give comfort to the town with this green, while design it to be viewed and enjoyed from every corner in the building," said the firm in its project description.

"Facing the same road stands Misonoza, another project of ours which is the most famous theater in Nagoya." 

The louvers applied at the façade of the theater are laid out diagonally and resonate with the wooden louvers for the exterior of the bank. Wooden louvers not only create a gentle rhythm to the streets but also take in foresty sunbeam inside the building.

Project facts

Name: Hekikai Shinkin Bank Misono

Location: Aichi, Japan

Date: 2017.06

Program: Office

Size: 4,140.02 m2

All images © Hekikai Shinkin Bank Misono © Kawasumi/Kobayashi Kenji Photograph Office

> via Kengo Kuma & Associates