CLOTO Building, Kyoto

This is a renovation project of a nine story commercial building in central Kyoto city. After being striped back to the skeleton a full seismic upgrade was carried out (with Taishin Shindan Kikaku Engineers, Kyoto) including the installation of seismic damper bracing units. The Southern facade was opened up with additional glazing and a traditional Japanese pattern was created with two layers of metal mesh. One layer (the water pattern) is created with flat white perforated aluminium mesh and in front of that a complete layer of cor-ten steel expanded mesh was installed. The cor-ten steel quickly developed a soft red patina.