Iron Gallery / Kensuke Watanabe Architecture Studio

Iron Gallery / Kensuke Watanabe Architecture Studio - FacadeIron Gallery / Kensuke Watanabe Architecture Studio - Windows, FacadeIron Gallery / Kensuke Watanabe Architecture Studio - Windows, FacadeIron Gallery / Kensuke Watanabe Architecture Studio - Windows, Brick, FacadeIron Gallery / Kensuke Watanabe Architecture Studio - More Images+ 11

Minato, Japan
Iron Gallery / Kensuke Watanabe Architecture Studio - Facade
Courtesy of Kensuke Watanabe Architecture Studio

Text description provided by the architects. Iron Gallery is a steel-made building standing in a small lot in the center of Tokyo. This tenant building consists of 4 stories, including an antique art dealer's office. The total floor area of the whole building is less than 100m2.

Iron Gallery / Kensuke Watanabe Architecture Studio - Facade
Courtesy of Kensuke Watanabe Architecture Studio

A careful discussion took place between the architect, structural designer, and the contractor from the very beginning of the project. The project was efficiently carried out due to this process, and the aesthetic image, feasibility and cost control were all taken into account concurrently.

Iron Gallery / Kensuke Watanabe Architecture Studio - Windows, Facade
Courtesy of Kensuke Watanabe Architecture Studio

Since the site was facing a heavy traffic of arterial road and had very limited work space, all agreed on using steel construction for this project. This way, most of the construction parts could be fabricated in factories, minimizing the work at the actual site. Superstructure was welded directly on top of steel pipe piles. Facade panels with the height of the entire building were fabricated at the factory, and brought into the site. Once the panels were set, the gap was welded to be watertight. Actual labor at the site was only 47 days from setting the piles to the completion of the building.

Iron Gallery / Kensuke Watanabe Architecture Studio - Windows, Facade
Courtesy of Kensuke Watanabe Architecture Studio

COR-TEN steel was used for facade material. The outer walls are set in minimum distance from site boundaries, so maintenance-free material was suitable. The reddish brown color of COR-TEN steel that ages in time also matched the building content, antique. The surface plate was forged, creating ribs that stiffened the panel while adding delicate appearance created by the shades of the sun.

Iron Gallery / Kensuke Watanabe Architecture Studio - Cityscape, Windows
Courtesy of Kensuke Watanabe Architecture Studio

The site is facing north and has bright greenery across the street. By inviting such nature and surrounding view of the city into the building through a large opening, an extended atmosphere is implemented into the small interior.

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Project location

Address:Minato, Tokyo, Japan

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Iron Gallery / Kensuke Watanabe Architecture Studio" 22 Dec 2012. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/310160/iron-gallery-kensuke-watanabe-architecture-studio> ISSN 0719-8884

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