Architecture

Studio I IN: redefining interior design with art and nature in Tokyo

Studio I IN, a renowned Tokyo-based design firm celebrated for its innovative approach to architecture and interiors, has redefined the concept of a reception lounge with its latest project.

Por: Alejandro Carrillo
Studio I IN has transformed the reception lounge of an office within Museum Tower Kyobashi / Photo via Studio IN N
Studio I IN has transformed the reception lounge of an office within Museum Tower Kyobashi / Photo via Studio IN N

Located within the Museum Tower Kyobashi, this space merges the functionality of an office with the artistic essence of an art museum. Drawing inspiration from the building’s rich connection to Kyobashi’s cultural legacy, Studio I IN has crafted a “living lounge” that blurs the boundaries between home and workspace, emphasizing comfort, artistry, and natural harmony.

 

The Tokyo-based design firm Studio I IN has transformed the reception lounge of an office within Museum Tower Kyobashi, introducing a lush green centerpiece and a striking ceramic installation.

Studio I IN was inspired by the building’s location in Kyobashi / Photo via Studio I IN
Studio I IN was inspired by the building’s location in Kyobashi / Photo via Studio I IN

The redesign highlights the idea of “Work with Art”, showcasing the building’s distinctive blend of workspace and cultural expression, as it also accommodates an art museum.

 

Studio I IN was inspired by the building’s location in Kyobashi, a Tokyo neighborhood long associated with small art galleries. The five-year-old Museum Tower Kyobashi, designed by Nikken Sekkei, represents a rare fusion of modern office spaces and an art museum in Japan. 

 

“At this milestone, we remodeled the interior to blend art with emotional depth and work with logic, aiming to spark a dynamic interaction between these elements,” the studio explained.

Art and functionality

To redefine the reception lounge, Studio I IN envisioned it as a transitional space—a “living lounge” that bridges the divide between home and office. “We wanted the lobby to serve as a grey zone, neither strictly an office nor entirely a home,” the studio noted.

 

While the building already features a rooftop garden and dining areas, it lacked a living space. This led to the creation of a welcoming and functional area that balances warmth and modernity.

The redesign also includes a sculptural ceramic installation that pays homage to the building’s exterior / Photo via Studio I IN
The redesign also includes a sculptural ceramic installation that pays homage to the building’s exterior / Photo via Studio I IN

The studio retained many of the original architectural elements while adding thoughtful details like concealed lighting within the ceiling louvres, plush furniture, and a carpet in soft tan and beige tones. At the heart of the lounge, they placed a granite planter filled with a mix of plants and moss, mimicking the texture of a forest floor.

 

“This greenery acts as the vibrant centerpiece of the ‘living lounge’, symbolizing vitality and connection,” shared Studio I IN. Drawing from the rooftop garden’s theme, “Musashino Forest”, the design incorporates plants native to Musashino, a historic area of Tokyo that represents the city’s natural origins.

 

The selection of greenery reflects the studio’s vision of a landscape evolving, echoing the five-year history of the building.

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Sculptural elegance

The redesign also includes a sculptural ceramic installation that pays homage to the building’s exterior. Nikken Sekkei’s design features aluminum louvres that manage sunlight and reference traditional Japanese architecture. Studio I IN reimagined these louvres using ceramics, a natural material, to create a tactile and visually engaging counterpart.

 

“Unlike the rational aluminum facade, the ceramic louvres were crafted to feel warm and organic, arranged as if swaying in the wind,” the studio explained. By blending nature-inspired materials with precise craftsmanship, Studio I IN has delivered a reception space that harmonizes intelligence with sensory appeal.

The studio, led by Yohei Terui and Hiromu Yuyama, continues to innovate, with past projects including vibrant public installations and the reinvention of a 1980s Tokyo apartment.

 

If you liked this article about Studio I IN, please share it.  You can also read this article about NOD Studio in our Architecture section.

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