The Antithetical Apartment.
A studio apartment, for a young, male, biracial, NASA scientist from SETI, who moved from Japan to NYC at the age of 8.
The wood represents the our own planet, and dark sparkly concrete represents the void of space where my client lives in his head.
The apartment it compresses as you move through it, transitioning from a full height entrance way, to a raised floor, and then a low hanging ceiling.
The wooden floor is lifted to create hidden storage, dipped seating, and sleeping pits.
Red accents are added to bring in the feeling of Japanese calligraphy.
In the bedroom the ceiling dips down and becomes a counter weight for the recessed bed, in order to evoke stillness.
A three part sliding wall made of wood veneer lets in some light from the morning sun.
The dropped ceilings are made of wood strips and paper with recessed lights that create the effect of a giant glowing lantern.
Wrought iron accents on lights and furniture are evocative of the NYC street lamps the strange beauty of shimmering pavement.
A single concrete wall separates the living room and bedroom. An elevated window breaks the weight of the concrete, becoming an object adrift in the void, allowing a tiny glimpse of the room beyond.
A large bookshelf connects the kitchen, exercise, and work areas.