florian busch disguises eight storey nightlife venue in kyoto with louvered timber façade

comprising an intricate network of alleyways, bars, brothels and boutiques, pontocho is one of kyoto’s most atmospheric and diverse dining areas.

on an adjacent plot of 50 square meters, florian busch architects (FBA) has realized ‘K8′, a narrow building positioned between two other multi-storey structures. comprising eight levels, the scheme primarily serves as a nightlife venue, configured to host a ‘a gradually changing course of events’.

as the eastern part of pontocho faces kyoto’s main river, urban regulations have meant that the neighborhood remains a fabric of small, low level houses. ‘K8′ forgoes the use of an elevator, instead stretching a continuous volume across eight storeys. ‘while pontocho is experienced as a horizontal sequence of encounters, ‘K8′ is the translation of that experience into the vertical,’ explain the architects. ‘the evening evolves as a gradually changing course of events, from an aperitif on ground level to a digestif overlooking pontocho.’

externally, the homogeneous yet continuously changing façade creates an ambiguity often found in the city’s architecture. hundreds of wooden louvers evoke a sense of motion, while simultaneously disguising the building’s internal plan and program. at the center of the elevation, the angle of the louvers allows more transparency, providing internal sightlines and engaging passersby.

FBA founder florian busch completed his masters at london’s AA school of architecture before relocating to work for japanese architect toyo ito. in 2009, busch started his own firm in tokyo. see more projects by FBA here.

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