This project is a wooden house built on a corner lot within a lush green urbanization control area, where two roads intersect. Because it was anticipated that developing the land—including farmland conversion, obtaining development permits, and installing a septic tank—would be a challenging and time-consuming process before a residence could be built, the house was designed as a compact L-shaped plan with a total floor area of under 100 square meters. As a response to the clients’ wish to achieve a rich lifestyle within a compact footprint, the design explores the idea of “architecture as furniture.” At the boundary between the entrance and the living-dining-kitchen, as well as between the children’s room and the corridor, shelving units were used instead of plain walls, integrating partitions with storage. In the living room, a level difference and a low shelf along the window serve multiple functions—as storage, a TV stand, or even a bench where one can sit and enjoy the view on sunny days. The project grew from the idea that spaces become richer when they allow room to imagine and experiment with different ways of living day to day.
Residence @ Takasaki, Gunma Design: Rei Oshima, Mami Umayahara /SNARK Inc. Construction: Sakura Construction Total area: 95.94㎡ (1F/50.10㎡ 2F/45.84㎡) Completion: Sep. 2024 Photo: Ippei Shinzawa
We hosted a solo exhibition by artist Takero Kano, with works displayed in small huts of SLOWP. Visitors experienced the pieces by moving through the huts, encountering the art along the way. On the opening day, a participatory tapestry-making workshop was also held, creating a dialogue between the site and the artworks.Kano shared that he rarely creates collage works like those shown in the hut titled THINK. Stepping away from his usual mindset—that painting must be the foundation of his practice—he found himself working with a sense of play, almost like returning to childhood. He credited this shift to the imaginative energy of the hut space. His words deeply resonated with us, reaffirming our belief that a hut can serve as a device that unlocks childlike wonder.Several original pigments were used in the works, including Joshu Dry Window, a newly developed paint inspired by the dry winter winds of Kano’s hometown. Other pigments included:– Weathered Tin Roof – Soccer Field Sand – Stone School GateEach color is drawn from the landscape of his childhood. For Kano, these are colors he already carries within him. The final blank space becomes a question for the viewer: — What colours do you already have?
Exhibition @ SLOWP Planning: Natsuko Inoue /SNARK Inc. + Yawn Artist: Takero Kano Photo: usagitocamera Date: 10-13 May, 2024
This project is a renovation of a traditional two-story wooden house—approximately 230 square meters in size—located in Gosen City, Niigata Prefecture. Originally home to three generations, the house is now occupied by the client and their son. The goal was to create a more compact living environment suited to a two-person household. The renovation focused on approximately half of the ground floor—an area large enough to accommodate daily life—and was enclosed with insulation for improved energy efficiency. On the opposite side of the central hallway lie a guest room and Buddhist altar room with a spacious engawa. It is a calm and pleasant space, where views of the garden can be enjoyed through open shoji screens and sliding doors in spring and autumn. To allow the house to be used more flexibly across the seasons, large sliding partitions were installed to separate the renovated and unrenovated areas. Finishes such as the floorboards, tiles, and other materials were carefully selected to complement the existing decorative elements—such as feature windows, coffered ceilings, and amber-toned floorboards—creating a balance of contrast and harmony so that the renovated area feels integrated with the overall structure. Amid the growing number of similar houses affected by population decline and an aging society in rural Japan, this project may offer one possible approach to reimagining traditional homes for contemporary life.
Residence @ Gosen, Niigata Design: Shota Kaneko /SNARK Inc. Construction: Daiwa Homes Total area: 239.32㎡ (1F/185.49㎡ 2F/53.83㎡) Completion: Nov. 2024 Photo: Ippei Shinzawa
Located within LALA PARK SUEHIRO, a newly developed multi-purpose complex in central Takasaki, this rice ball (onigiri) shop was designed around the concept of made-to-order preparation, with each onigiri freshly hand-shaped upon request. An open kitchen layout allows all operations—from cooking and serving to clearing and payment—to be carried out seamlessly within the counter area. The height and placement of each element were carefully calibrated to ensure smooth workflow and efficiency. To maintain a clean, welcoming atmosphere, kitchen equipment is kept out of view from the eat-in area, with custom fixtures such as a display cover and cashier counter thoughtfully integrated into the space. The interior combines the casual feel of a coffee stand with a gentle touch of traditional Japanese sensibilities, using warm materials and ceiling finishes to create a harmonious, inviting environment.
Onigiri shop @ Takasaki, Gunma Design: Koase Sunao, Takeo Arika /SNARK Inc. Construction: Numaga Construction Bracket lighting, Showcase cover: kirika Wall decor items: Nandakatotemo Logo design: ALNICO DESIGN Total area: 19.86㎡ Completion: Sep. 2024 Photo: Ippei Shinzawa
This is an office relocation project for CHERRY Inc., a company engaged in addressing social issues through a wide range of creative planning and production, primarily in the advertising field. In the entrance hall, a custom-made counter made of Bealstone infused with the company’s signature logo color glass serves as a multifunctional space—for meetings, workshops, and as a community hub for both internal and external creatives. On the second floor, custom-built desks with integrated partitions were installed to help each individual stay focused. The overall layout encourages circulation, creating a compact yet well-balanced sense of distance between individuals and teams. The space is also designed to display CHERRY’s diverse collection of artworks—accumulated since the company’s founding—throughout the office.
Office @ Harajuku, Tokyo Design: Mami Umayahara /SNARK Inc. Project management, Design direction: Sunao Koase/SNARK Inc. Steel products: gambit Client: CHERRY inc. Construction: Total Project Total area: 103.41㎡ (1F49.5/㎡ 2F/53.91㎡) Completion: Nov. 2024 Photo: Ippei Shinzawa
This project is a renovation of an apartment unit in a verdant housing complex in Hikarigaoka, Tokyo. Designed for a family of three, the home incorporates a variety of functional zones, including a study for work and a small bookshelf nook in the living room for casual tasks. Lauan plywood is used as the finishing material throughout the space. In the living room, subtle variations—like shifting the wood grain orientation and adjusting the tone of the oil finish—lend each area its own character while preserving a sense of overall harmony. By applying the same material in different ways, the design creates a rich and varied living environment that reflects the nuances of everyday life.
Residence @ Hikarigaoka, Tokyo Design: Yu Yamada, Mami Umayahara /SNARK Inc. Construction: KOUSHOU Steel products: gambit Total area: 85.22㎡ Completion: Nov. 2024 Photo: Ippei Shinzawa
This is a two-family house located in a residential neighborhood of Itabashi, Tokyo, with the parents living on the first floor and the children’s family on the second. The first floor is designed for simplicity and ease of movement, centering around the bedroom and wet areas, with windows facing a neighboring pathway that bring in a sense of the changing seasons. On the second floor, the layout is divided lengthwise into private rooms and the living-dining-kitchen area. The high ceiling allows for lofts above the private rooms, used to store books and hobby items. At the landing of the staircase connecting the two households, a small study has been placed to provide a quiet and focused workspace, set apart from the other rooms. By structuring the house vertically, the design makes the most of the limited space while aiming to create a home that balances daily life with the belongings and activities of its residents.
Residence @ Itabashi, Tokyo Design: Sunao Koase, (Ayaka Seki) /SNARK Inc. Structural design: Shusaku Ota /Paterson Inc. Construction: Eishin Construction Total area: 94.38㎡ (1F/47.34㎡ 2F/47.04㎡ loft/21.73㎡ balcony/7.92㎡) Completion: Nov. 2024 Photo: Yasuyuki Takaki
This Italian restaurant is located along the moat of Takasaki Castle Ruins in the center of Takasaki City. The large glass windows on the façade offer a view of the moat, while the interior of the restaurant can be seen from the outside. The interior design is characterized by the contrast between the rough impression of the existing walls and the furniture made of lauan plywood. The gap between the kitchen’s hanging shelves and the counter is kept as small as possible to create a moderate distance between the customer seats and the kitchen, creating a relaxed atmosphere.
Bistro @ Takasaki, Gunma Design: Rei Oshima, Takeo Arika /SNARK Inc. Construction: Tsunoda Construction Total area: 62.48㎡ Completion: Jun. 2024 Photo: Ippei Shinzawa
This is an office relocation project for Katariba, a certified nonprofit organization committed to creating a society where all young people—regardless of their upbringing—can nurture the creativity and motivation to shape their own futures. In a post-pandemic work environment, with around 80% of staff working remotely, the project was developed in close collaboration with the client to explore the purpose and value of gathering in a shared space. In response to the client’s desire to “create spaces that foster dialogue,” the design centers on the concept of the engawa—a traditional Japanese architectural element that blurs the boundary between inside and outside. Engawa-like features were incorporated on each floor to encourage casual, spontaneous interaction, such as placing benches face-to-face or installing high counters along circulation paths. The overall space is unified in soft gray tones, accented by “Katariba Green,” the organization’s signature color, to create a warm and approachable atmosphere. Signage was designed by YOHAK DESIGN STUDIO, and sound design was handled by Sound Couture Inc., resulting in a spatial experience that engages both sight and sound. The conversations and connections that emerge here will continue to deepen the value of the space over time.
Office @ Nakano, Tokyo Design: Sunao Koase, (Ayaka Seki) /SNARK Inc. Client: Katariba Sign design, Color direction: Taku Sasaki, Yua Houzaki, Leo Arimoto /YOHAK DESIGN STUDIO Steel products: gambit Construction: Total Project Sound design: Sound Couture Inc. Acoustic design: Fly Sound Inc. Total area: 485.3㎡ Completion: Oct. 2024 Photo: Ippei Shinzawa
This is an office relocation project for Khaki Co., Ltd., a VFX direction and design company. In addition to an office and meeting room, a preview room was required to check the produced images. The conference room and preview room, which frequently receive visitors from the outside, were placed in an entrance area separated from the office to ensure security of the office. The office area is large enough to accommodate future increases in staff, and includes a lounge for employees. The lounge will be used not only for breaks but also for dinner parties, so we designed sofas and side tables that can be reconfigured to suit the needs of the client.
Office @ Toranomon, Tokyo Design: Sunao Koase, Shota Kaneko, Mami Umayahara, Romane Kunugiza /SNARK Inc. Client: Khaki Construction: Total Project Total area: 394.24㎡ Completion: Oct. 2024 Photo: Ippei Shinzawa
This is a renovation project of a room in a vintage condominium in Yoyogi, Tokyo. The original room was divided by partitions and large beams, giving the space a claustrophobic feel. In the renovation, we eliminated the partitions and installed a curved bench and kitchen counter that straddle the room, creating a sense of openness in the living and dining areas.The bench top and countertop design are common, and both use unglazed tiles to emphasize the sense of unity between the living and dining rooms. At the back of the living room, a space with a raised floor that can also be used as a bedroom was created, with a low bench and comfortable carpet for relaxing on the floor.
Residence @ Yoyogi, Tokyo Design: Sunao Koase, Shota Kaneko /SNARK Inc. Client: SHARE COMPANY Construction: Repos-design Total area: 118.30㎡ Completion: Oct. 2024 Photo: Ippei Shinzawa
This is a relocation project for a furniture store dealing with Scandinavian and domestic furniture, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2025. The name of the store, “ARTERIOR,” is a coined word combining the words ‘ART’ and ‘INTERIOR,’ meaning that the store does not deal in furniture simply as objects, but rather in interiors that can create beautiful spaces. The store before the relocation had a distinctive exterior and staircase, and had long been loved by both customers and staff. In honor of this history, we focused our design on the exterior, the staircase, and the reception counter as a place to interact with customers. The showroom area was kept simple to showcase the furniture on display, while the main counter and staircase were designed with a sense of dignity using Mortex and Bealstone. We partitioned the space so that the visitor cannot see the entire space from the entrance, in order to draw their attention and invite them to the back of the store. We designed the space from the customer’s perspective so that they could imagine their own lives as they experience the furniture.
Furniture shop @ Takasaki, Gunma Design: Rei Oshima, Noriko Koba /SNARK Inc. Client: Nishida Inc. Construction: Nishida Inc. Total area: 713.28㎡ (1F/396.24㎡ 2F/317.04㎡) Completion: Apr. 2024 Photo: Ippei Shinzawa
