Ao Studio is a renovated apartment for a young working couple designed by Keiji Ashizawa Design located in Saitama prefecture, Japan.

The layout of the apartment reflects the lifestyle of the clients, a pattern-maker and restaurateur, whom both required specialist spaces to allow them to work from home. They also wanted a relaxed, spacious living area where they could enjoy entertaining friends.
In response to their needs, Keiji Ashizawa Design removed all existing internal partitions, revealing a light filled space with several large windows – one connecting to an external balcony almost the size of the apartment itself. An open plan living space with adjoining studio are at the centre of the new arrangement, with bedroom and bathroom, hidden from sight, within a brighly coloured blue pod – in this sense, the apartment functions more as an open studio, with importance given to the notion of activity and gathering.
Built-in furniture was incorporated into the design where possible to emphasis openness – in the dining room, a bench seat also serves as a step to the outdoor living space.
Photos by: Takumi Ota