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The building on Hijirizaka Hill in Tokyo's upscale Minato Ward neighborhood is hard to miss. Made of reinforced concrete, it twists and turns, with walls and ceilings covered in enigmatic patterns.
This striking structure is called the Arimaston Building (蟻鱒鳶ル “Ant Trout Black Kite Building”) and is more reminiscent of a sculpture than a conventional building. Architect Keisuke Oka spent 20 years creating this self-built masterpiece.
“I can’t believe I created something like this,” Oka said, looking at his work. The scaffolding and decking were removed at the end of October. With a broad smile, he continued, “I am amazed that something has come to life that exceeds my expectations.”
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Innovative design and durability
Construction began in 2005. With four upper floors and one basement, the building only takes up 40 square meters – a small living space. Oka, who is also a dancer, brought a sense of improvisation to the project.
The original concept was vague, just a general vision. Oka worked at will, incorporating various materials such as food trays and plants into the formwork, and designing windows with intricate polygonal shapes. Friends who helped also contributed their creativity, thereby reinforcing the improvisational nature of the project.
The architect used a concrete mix with reduced water content, making it so durable that one expert claimed it would last 200 years. Thanks to Oka's careful craftsmanship, the surface shines with a strange shine and the design exudes a mystical aura.
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Future ambitions
However, the construction work is not yet completely completed. Due to a redevelopment project in the area, the building will be moved 10 meters (approximately 33 feet) southeast in the summer of 2025. This is done using the traditional Japanese method “Hikiya”, which involves lifting a building and pushing rollers onto it.
Nevertheless, the building itself is finished. Although it seemed premature, I asked Oka about his next destination.
“I want to work more seriously with others to build architecture in a fun way,” he said. “I have met some fascinating people in the last few years and would like to start new projects that create even more excitement.”
It may not be long before we see more Arimaston buildings, each bringing a unique character to the streets of Japan.
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