Project Name: MORANDI

Location: Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan

Design Team: APOLLO Architects & Associates

Total Floor Area: 185.44 m²

Completion: 2024

Photography: Kimiou Nishikawa

Feature:

Project - APOLLO Architects & Associates, in collaboration with renowned product designer Nicola Gallizia, has elevated storage systems from mere furniture to the defining architectural element in this Tokyo residence. Completed in May 2024, the 185-square-meter apartment renovation named "MORANDI" presents an innovative conceptual model for contemporary residential design.

The project's distinguishing characteristic is its revolutionary approach to storage design—transforming signature system units from Italian furniture brand Molteni&C into the structural core of the residence. Rather than treating storage as an afterthought, Satoshi Kurosaki and Gallizia orchestrated a seamless flow of storage elements that not only connect rooms but simultaneously define the spatial hierarchy throughout the home.

The residence's aesthetic is characterized by a dialogue between natural sunrise oak cabinet doors and dark oak ceiling panels, creating a precise visual rhythm throughout the space. The designers introduced brass-toned accents through carefully selected artworks and lighting fixtures, while silver travertine and Ceppo stone-patterned ceramic tiles in wet areas further enhance the Italian luxury aesthetic.

Perhaps the most compelling design element is the choreographed sequence of movement. As residents traverse the apartment, they experience a journey guided by the continuous storage system from public to private spaces. This architectural promenade reveals fascinating parallels between Italian design elegance and traditional Japanese spatial concepts, where spaces are gently delineated through thoughtfully designed elements rather than hard divisions.

The family room, which doubles as a welcoming entrance area, exemplifies this approach with storage systems that flow uninterrupted from living to dining to kitchen zones, creating a theatrical spatial experience. This continuity transforms everyday domestic activities into a sophisticated performance set against a backdrop of meticulous craftsmanship.

MORANDI represents a significant architectural statement that challenges conventional relationships between furniture and space, demonstrating how storage systems can transcend functionality to become the primary architectural syntax through which space is articulated and experienced. The work fully demonstrates Kurosaki's attention to detail and ability to translate complex design concepts into harmonious living environments.

Design Team - Founded by Satoshi Kurosaki in 2000 and incorporated in 2008, APOLLO Architects & Associates has established itself as one of Japan's most distinguished architecture firms specializing in contemporary residential design. Based in Tokyo, the practice has built an impressive portfolio characterized by sophisticated minimalism, innovative spatial compositions, and meticulous attention to material expression.

Under Kurosaki's leadership, the firm has garnered international recognition through numerous prestigious awards, including multiple iF Design Awards, DNA Paris Design Awards, and DFA Design for Asia Awards. Their projects have been consistently nominated for ArchDaily's Building of the Year, with their distinctive residential works "TIMELESS," "ESPRIT," and "LAXUS" receiving particular acclaim in recent years.

The practice maintains a diverse team of talented architects led by Chief Architect Osamu Fujii, with specialists bringing expertise from renowned institutions including Waseda University, Kyoto Institute of Technology, and Tama Art University. This international perspective is complemented by Kurosaki's academic involvement as a former lecturer at Keio University's Department of System Design Engineering.

As a registered APEC Architect and member of the Japan Institute of Architects, Kurosaki has positioned APOLLO as a leading voice in contemporary Japanese residential architecture, with each project representing a carefully calibrated balance between functionality, aesthetic refinement, and contextual sensitivity.