These are not your typical Tokyo apartments and I hardly call Mitaka Tokyo proper-it's West Tokyo. However, they should make them all look like this since most of them are very depressingly designed. Here's more from thecoolhunter.com:
What we most love about all things Japanese is that they vary so radically from intelligent design to the completely wacky. The most recent work from New York based designers Arakawa and Gin is a wonderful example of the latter.The creative duo have unveiled a small and most unusual apartment block based in Mitaka, Tokyo. Reversible Destiny Lofts are eye-catching brightly painted lofts that look like a McDonald's play ground through the eyes of someone on LSD. The architecture looks like the aftermath of a size 3 earthquake, a little shaken and lopsided. There is a method behind the designers madness however. Arakawa believes that comfort makes you grow old quick, and that residents, in particular elderly ones, need to be kept on their toes by having their interiors physically challenge them. Lopsided floors force the resident to maintain a good sense of balance , strangely located light switches insist we feel around for the light, whilst small veranda doors will ask you to crawl and bend to enter.
How much does this physical challenge cost? Priced at US$750,000 each, the houses are three times more expensive than other apartments in the same neighborhood. It looks funky and the concept is challenging, however we can't help but wanting to stick the designer in there when he is 93 years old and see how he copes. by Lisa Evans
Exactly the design concepts I am using on my house remodel. Seems that while I thought I was screwing up, I was just being avant garde. Ahead of the curve as usual.
Posted by: phatrick | March 22, 2006 at 05:58 PM
Phatrick speaks! I can't wait to be the first to vomit in the guest room of your new house, and I'll bet Anna can't wait either, that is if I don't lock myself out and...makes me wonder when I stopped being a house guest and a liability. Then again, recently I have good references talk to Mike and Jennifer.
Posted by: MC | March 23, 2006 at 01:45 AM
Yeah, sorry for my silence. I've seriously been working day and night shifts at the house lately. It reminds me of being a lawyer - except i get to hit things and at the end of the day I'm dirty instead of just feeling like it.
I'd forgotten all about that - great story: you drunkely locking yourself out of my apartment in your underwear or something and then breaking a window with your elbow to get back in. When I got home the next week I thought I'd been robbed.
Posted by: phatrick | March 23, 2006 at 05:37 PM
He he. Sounds like a good story - how come I've never heard of this Patrick?
Posted by: Edward | March 24, 2006 at 10:58 AM
in hindsight, that was a great night. there was something about the Backdoor Ultra Lounge (RIP) that made for fabulous evenings. i really miss that place.
Posted by: lou | March 30, 2006 at 07:44 AM
Was it a great night? Infamous. Edward you haven't heard it, because it's not so flattering on this end.
Posted by: MC | March 30, 2006 at 08:08 AM