Schemata Architects reimagines machiya house with metal awnings for Uchida Shōten HQ

Local studio Schemata Architects drew on historic townhouses when creating this office along Japan's Tōkaidō road, which features a corrugated metal facade with window shutters that open "as if breathing".

The office building is located in Fujisawa City on the historic Tōkaidō road, which played a significant role during Japan's Edo era.

Metal shutters open the office up to the street

Drawing on this historic location, Schemata Architects looked to machiya – townhouses that were common during the Edo period ...