Ryo
Otsuka
Architects

Creating a Fantastical Space with Decoration and Emptiness

In Western classical architecture, "decoration" is an architectural language that imparts elegance and order to a space with its lavishness. Most of these decorations are symmetrical and possess an authoritative centripetal force, symbolizing a yearning for "perfection."

Similarly, classical music, with its precisely crafted compositions by composers, exists as a perfect entity without room for alteration. The enjoyment of classical music comes from listeners deeply feeling and understanding this worldview. Both classical music and such spaces convey a sense of "tension" as a consequence of their pursuit of perfection, evoking emotions in listeners and users that differ from everyday life.

At NoteTrail, we aim to create spaces using the two architectural languages of "decoration" and its contrasting "emptiness." Here, "emptiness" refers to the aesthetic of accepting change, represented by concepts like "wabi-sabi," and serves as a vessel that embraces the diverse values of contemporary thinking. We seek to create a fantastical space that intertwines the meticulously and strictly followed path of classical music with a continuously changing and unpredictable worldview. This space will not be clearly defined in black or white but will present a blurred and gentle worldview.

By creating an imperfect space that cannot be definitively categorized as either reality or a dream, we hope to establish a special place where the charm and emotion of classical music can meet contemporary people across time.