Hyakunincho is better known today for its bustling commercial and night life district, than a place for experiment and research. An unlikely past emerges as you look into its history, when this was once Tokyo's hub for public and private research institutions. The design of this residential complex is informed by the repetitive bays and solid materials which invoke memories of old research labs built with steel and brick that existed here. All four exterior-facing facades have a layer of extruded C-section frames, providing a sense of depth to the facade while making individual dwelling units feel more protected and independent. Throughout the interior public area, materials and furniture are selected under the same concept, and artworks by three artists enrich the spaces like a series of art galleries.