"CONTRAST" is a new concept venue that opened in the Yoyogihachiman district of Tokyo. The Yoyogihachiman area is a gathering place for sophisticated people near Yoyogi Park, one of Tokyo's most popular parks. 

This venue contains three elemental spaces: the "Gallery," the "Studio," and the "Lounge". The "Gallery" is not only a place for the management company "IN FOCUS" to present their work, can be adapted to a wide range of exhibitions, from photography, graphic design, and other artworks to large-scale artworks and digital artworks. The "Studio" can be used as an atelier for artists to create their works. The "Lounge" can also function as a viewing room. Of course, all spaces can be used for apparel exhibitions, corporate launch events, and private parties. The space is seamlessly connected to the three functions of the venue, and is contained so that the potential of the venue can be maximized. 

This venue was created through a different process than how it is usually designed. Normally, before we begin construction, we would conceptualize an ideal plan for the existing space and articulate the vision and costs to realize it. But for this venue, we started by first removing all of the existing interior. After everything was removed, we did minimal construction work on the space and used it as much as possible in its existing concrete structure form. 

We wanted to create a space that would give the maximum performance with the minimum amount of construction work. In order to realize this, we spent a lot of time for visiting the site, engaging in dialogue and discussion with the builders of the space, and then proceeded with the planning process. 

The floors and ceilings are made from the old concrete structure, and only some of the walls and columns were constructed, moreover, the new walls are built in isolation from the existing concrete structure. Bookshelves, work tables, and cabinets in the studio are all made of stainless steel and can be disassembled and recycled. The façade is partitioned by industrial curtains made of vinyl material used in factories, without daring to create windows, wall and partitions, which can be opened fully to be used for open-air parties and events, even in the front yard. 

In summer and winter, the curtains can be closed to maintain the indoor temperature, while they can be opened in spring and fall when the outdoor temperature is comfortable. If we can minimize what we create, we can minimize the industrial waste when this venue closes, and we can minimize the cost. We faced these issues and were able to create a simple and minimal space.

By simply creating simple white walls on the existing old concrete structure, we were able to create not only a visual meanings "CONTRAST" between the simple and new and the old, dirty, and rough, but also a "CONTRAST" between the new and old parts in meanings of time axis.