Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture
Doors & Handrails & Stairs
This project involved the use of our components as part of an office renovation project for a Gifu-based company engaged in the recycled paper business. The concrete space is basically arranged with monotone items, and we delivered black steel frames for the window surfaces of the conference room, handrails, and stairs to create the impression of strength in the space as well as for design. When used by a company, the number of users differs greatly from that of ordinary households. The feeling of use also requires a tougher feel. At the same time, the design must also be sensible enough to motivate the people who work there. Understanding the intent of the design was also a unique part of the project, and one that we enjoyed working on.
Painting and Welding
The durability of the painted surface is important, as the company's interior will be traversed by foot traffic. Strength is achieved by blasting the surface so that the paint does not peel and the finish does not detract from the impression of the space. This staircase also has a unique welded surface. Although simple, the steps are finished in a way that the welding surface is not visible, so we focused on a finish that looks as if it were made by bending a single piece of steel. On the other hand, a small amount of welding surface is visible on the handrail and the staircase. The ceiling of the space was designed to have a bare concrete surface, so the slight roughness of the staircase was intentionally shown to create a presence that fits more comfortably within the space.
Separate spatial awareness.
The presence of steel can cut a strong sense of awareness within a single large space. In this space, with its meeting space and free-access desks, this goal is well realized. By intentionally varying the thickness of the components, the roles of frame, blindfold, and wardrobe are well formed. This is a design wonder. For our part, unlike the thermal spraying and painting techniques used for the staircase and other parts, the painted surface is even smoother to create a more elegant look. By using stainless steel for the door handles, we have maintained the durability of the hand-touched parts and the design that looks good against the black. The overall impression is that the material also contributes to creating a certain degree of tension.
