Japanese brand Karimoku Case has redesigned an apartment on a hilltop in Tokyo, using wood and a neutral colour palette to create a "calm and serene atmosphere".
Named Azabu Hills Residence, the project was designed by Karimoku Case ? a studio developed by Karimoku Furniture in collaboration with design studios Keiji Ashizawa and Norm Architects.
The studio used the project as an opportunity to optimise the use of local zelkova wood which is increasingly underutilised.
The apartment features furniture made from zelkova wood
"We sympathized with the story of how zelkova used to be a common material in Japan, but is now being chipped and discarded, and wished to explore the possibilities of zelkova through this project," lead designer Keiji Ashizawa told Dezeen. "When I first saw the sample of it, I felt that its gentle reddish hue, along with its story, was a good match for the project," he continued.
"We decided to create the interior using zelkova that would come in harmony with the gentle light from the north side."
A neutral material palette creates a "calm and serene atmosphere"
The 226-metre-square apartment was centred around a spacious, open-plan living area and dining room illuminated by floor-to-ceiling windows.
A small workspace nestled behind a wall in the living space makes use of the spacious interior, and is furnished with a desk, chair and shelving made from zelkova wood.
White plaster walls and wooden floors...