Japanese heritage and minimalist architecture are beautifully combined in the new book titled 'I-IN'
A new book, I-IN, published by Frame Publishers, showcases the work of the Tokyo-based spatial design studio, offering a blend of minimalist architecture and Japanese heritage. The studio, founded in 2018 by Yohei Terui and Hiromu Yuyama, is known for its unique approach to design, which balances innovation and simplicity.
I-IN's portfolio includes notable projects such as the headquarters for Japanese haircare brand Kinujo, the Cartier Guest Lounge, and the Warp Studio office, all located in Tokyo. The studio's work is marked by a lack of instantly recognizable characteristics, instead focusing on warmth, softness, tactility, and approachability.
Wallpaper's Singapore editor, Daven Wu, praises I-IN's quiet thoughtfulness, design clarity, and flexible approach as their defining qualities. In his introduction to the book, Wu highlights I-IN's strength: They do not have a signature look that instantly identifies their work.
The new book includes detailed case studies and projects that explore I-IN's themes, showcasing their role in evolving Japan's architecture landscape with a strong sensitivity to environment, culture, and modern functionality. The examples from contemporaries and contexts close to I-IN suggest that the studio’s notable works likely focus on blending traditional Japanese architectural principles and materials with modern sustainability and urban design innovations.
Examples of I-IN's work can be found in sleek sci-fi offices and luxurious minimalist settings, as well as in urban redevelopment and mixed-use projects such as Minato Mirai 21 in Yokohama. This major waterfront development features high-rise office towers with glass facades designed for natural light, views, and functional urban density.
Residential designs like the HOUSE W in Nakafurano embody traditional Japanese timber-frame construction with a modern twist, integrating renewable materials and sustainable technologies such as photovoltaic cladding, aimed at achieving net-zero energy use.
Creative adaptive reuse projects, such as those by Japanese architects revitalizing historic hutong alleys in Beijing, also reflect I-IN's approach, reimagining small L-shaped residences into functional homes that balance traditional lifestyles with contemporary living needs.
I-IN's design philosophy is not based on creating a recognizable style or look. Instead, the studio strives to create meaningful and purposeful architectural environments that adapt to every commission. This thoughtful and adaptable nature makes it challenging to pinpoint I-IN's work as their own, but the new book offers a unique opportunity for the public to explore their work and understand their impact on Japan's architectural landscape.
The new book, I-IN, showcases how the studio's interior-design projects, such as the HOUSE W in Nakafurano, blend traditional Japanese architectural principles with modern sustainability, reflecting their lifestyle-focused approach to home-and-garden design. Wallpaper's Singapore editor, Daven Wu, praises I-IN's innovative yet adaptable designs, which are marked by a lack of instantly recognizable characteristics, instead focusing on warmth, softness, and approachability.
