C+A gives seismic upgrade to 50-year-old building in Japan
C+A – Coelacanth and Associates renovates KUBO-BLDG, a small four-story tenant building in downtown Nagoya, Japan. The architects’ team gives the building a new identity, more than fifty years after it was first built, with a seismic upgrade using asymmetric oval-shaped structural elements and a new concrete column-beam frame. The project transforms the aging structure into something that is at once safer, more expressive, and in tune with its urban context.
Instead of hiding the building’s new structural components, C+A chooses to highlight them by embedding oval-shaped seismic elements on the facade. These large, asymmetrical ‘icons’ visibly wrap around a triangular bracing system and frame, reinforcing the building while helping it stand out in the dense, often chaotic streetscape. The ovals are carefully arranged to strengthen the structure while still allowing generous openings throughout the facade.
all images by ToLoLo studio
Asymmetric Oval-Shaped Elements define KUBO-BLDG facade
Japanese architecture firm C+A – Coelacanth and Associates reimagines the facade of KUBO-BLDG with function in mind. The new structure creates space for balconies on each floor, semi-outdoor zones that encourage natural ventilation, and support airflow throughout the building. These additions speak directly to lessons learned from the pandemic, offering better air quality and a stronger connection to the outside. The balconies also animate the street, adding a more social and open layer to the building’s edge.
Inside, the renovation refreshes the common areas and upgrades outdated systems, while in the tenant spaces, the architects keep things intentionally raw. They preserve as much of the existing structure as possible, exposing utility lines and simplifying the layout so that future tenants can shape their spaces as needed.
With a total floor area of just over 350 square meters, C+A’s retrofit shows how seismic safety can also drive creativity, turning technical requirements into forms of expression.
C+A – Coelacanth and Associates renovates KUBO-BLDG
C+A choose to highlight the structural elements of the building
these large, asymmetrical ‘icons’ visibly wrap around a triangular bracing system
reinforcing the building while helping it stand out
C+A – Coelacanth and Associates reimagines the facade of KUBO-BLDG with function in mind
these additions speak directly to lessons learned from the pandemic
C+A’s retrofit shows how seismic safety can also drive creativity
the renovation refreshes the common areas and upgrades outdated systems
they preserve as much of the existing structure as possible
exposing utility lines and simplifying the layout
the architects’ team gives the 50-year-old building a new identity
the upgrade inncludes asymmetric oval-shaped elements and a new concrete column-beam frame
project info:
name: KUBO-BLDG
architect: C+A – Coelacanth and Associates | @coelacanth_and_associates
location: Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan
site area: 108.66 square meters
building area: 98.82 square meters
total floor area: 353.17 square meters
project team: Toru Uno, Yasuharu Rachi
photographer: ToLoLo studio | @tololostudio
The post sculptural ovals shape seismic retrofit of 50-year-old building in japan by C+A appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.