Hoshino Architects Unveils Design Philosophy and Details for Mita Garden Hills, Inheriting the Memory of the Former Ministry of Communications Building
Hoshino Architects has released the design philosophy and detailed design of the "Mita Garden Hills" project, a joint development with Mitsui Fudosan Residential and Mitsubishi Estate Residence. The project uniquely blends the historical legacy of the former Ministry of Communications building with modern architectural techniques.
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- 📰 Published: May 12, 2026 at 19:30
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Hoshino Architects Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director: Hiroaki Hoshino) is participating as the master design architect in the "Mita Garden Hills" project, a joint development by Mitsui Fudosan Residential Co., Ltd. and Mitsubishi Estate Residence Co., Ltd.
We have now published the design philosophy and details, including the partial preservation and regeneration of the former Ministry of Communications and Insurance Bureau building (completed in 1929), on our company website (https://hoshinoarchitects.com/project/).
■ Mita Garden Hills (Minato-ku)
Mita Garden Hills, where Hoshino Architects served as master design architect, is a residential complex project built on the former site of the Communications and Insurance Bureau building. While preserving and regenerating parts of the historic building, its original design and spatial characteristics were interpreted and reconstructed using modern technology. This project consists of multiple residential buildings, each designed with a unique character centered around a courtyard.
The entire project is structured under the concept of "OLD CRAFT & NEW TECH," overlapping the ideas of the creators from 1929 with contemporary design. A space where architecture and garden are integrated is planned around a landscape of approximately 7,700㎡, creating an environment enveloped in tranquility and healing amidst changing scenery over time.
■ Exterior design that harmonizes with the surrounding environment while preserving the facade's historical features
The facade, emphasizing vertical lines, is designed to echo the scale and presence of the mansions remaining in the surrounding area. While incorporating some of the exterior design features of the Communications and Insurance Bureau building, which has a history of approximately 100 years, it is designed to harmonize with the surrounding environment, including the Tsunamachi Mitsui Club. The existing part is positioned as a three-story podium, with seven main floors and a penthouse as the roof floor stacked above, creating a calm facade composition based on classical architecture. Furthermore, in the upper floors, trapezoidal bay windows are incorporated into the sashes and balcony railings, providing soft shadows and undulations to the exterior, ensuring continuity with the profound expression of the former Communications and Insurance Bureau building.
Residential: https://hoshinoarchitects.com/project/mita-garden-hills-residential-completed
■ Interior design where traces of history and modern design overlap
In the interior, motifs collected from the existing building are also preserved and regenerated, and their design and composition are reinterpreted as contemporary spaces. Design elements from that era, such as mosaic patterns recreated on walls found in the old building's floors and stained-glass ceilings, are woven into the modern space.
In the entrance area of the Park Mansion building, parts of the Communications and Insurance Bureau building completed in 1929 are carefully preserved and regenerated, with a design that leverages its historical charm. A symmetrical composition and intricate details create a profound and tranquil space. The vestibule, richly decorated with geometric patterns, is an elegant and vibrant space, as if one were in a work of art. Since the patterns extract features from the existing building and reconstruct them into new designs, modern elements can be felt within a classic atmosphere, creating a space where the charm of old and new harmonizes. The staircase, which strongly retains the characteristics of the existing building, has been carefully regenerated using modern technology while preserving its original design, creating a space where the allure of history can be felt.
Bar Lounge and Gallery Lounge
In the bar lounge and gallery lounge, different atmospheres and flows of time are created through the use of materials and light. Based on the concept of "OLD CRAFT & NEW TECH," the value of craftsmanship passed down through generations is superimposed with contemporary design, creating spaces where the charm of different eras coexist.
Entrance & Lounge: https://hoshinoarchitects.com/project/mita-garden-hills-entrance-lounge-completed
Common Space: https://hoshinoarchitects.com/project/mita-garden-hills-common-space-completed/
Northwest Entrance and Center Hill Building Lounge Space
The northwest entrance features a large, sweeping curved roof as a landmark, gently welcoming visitors. As one proceeds along the path inside, the combination of metal and stone creates soft light and shadow, guiding the way inward.
We have now published the design philosophy and details, including the partial preservation and regeneration of the former Ministry of Communications and Insurance Bureau building (completed in 1929), on our company website (https://hoshinoarchitects.com/project/).
■ Mita Garden Hills (Minato-ku)
Mita Garden Hills, where Hoshino Architects served as master design architect, is a residential complex project built on the former site of the Communications and Insurance Bureau building. While preserving and regenerating parts of the historic building, its original design and spatial characteristics were interpreted and reconstructed using modern technology. This project consists of multiple residential buildings, each designed with a unique character centered around a courtyard.
The entire project is structured under the concept of "OLD CRAFT & NEW TECH," overlapping the ideas of the creators from 1929 with contemporary design. A space where architecture and garden are integrated is planned around a landscape of approximately 7,700㎡, creating an environment enveloped in tranquility and healing amidst changing scenery over time.
■ Exterior design that harmonizes with the surrounding environment while preserving the facade's historical features
The facade, emphasizing vertical lines, is designed to echo the scale and presence of the mansions remaining in the surrounding area. While incorporating some of the exterior design features of the Communications and Insurance Bureau building, which has a history of approximately 100 years, it is designed to harmonize with the surrounding environment, including the Tsunamachi Mitsui Club. The existing part is positioned as a three-story podium, with seven main floors and a penthouse as the roof floor stacked above, creating a calm facade composition based on classical architecture. Furthermore, in the upper floors, trapezoidal bay windows are incorporated into the sashes and balcony railings, providing soft shadows and undulations to the exterior, ensuring continuity with the profound expression of the former Communications and Insurance Bureau building.
Residential: https://hoshinoarchitects.com/project/mita-garden-hills-residential-completed
■ Interior design where traces of history and modern design overlap
In the interior, motifs collected from the existing building are also preserved and regenerated, and their design and composition are reinterpreted as contemporary spaces. Design elements from that era, such as mosaic patterns recreated on walls found in the old building's floors and stained-glass ceilings, are woven into the modern space.
In the entrance area of the Park Mansion building, parts of the Communications and Insurance Bureau building completed in 1929 are carefully preserved and regenerated, with a design that leverages its historical charm. A symmetrical composition and intricate details create a profound and tranquil space. The vestibule, richly decorated with geometric patterns, is an elegant and vibrant space, as if one were in a work of art. Since the patterns extract features from the existing building and reconstruct them into new designs, modern elements can be felt within a classic atmosphere, creating a space where the charm of old and new harmonizes. The staircase, which strongly retains the characteristics of the existing building, has been carefully regenerated using modern technology while preserving its original design, creating a space where the allure of history can be felt.
Bar Lounge and Gallery Lounge
In the bar lounge and gallery lounge, different atmospheres and flows of time are created through the use of materials and light. Based on the concept of "OLD CRAFT & NEW TECH," the value of craftsmanship passed down through generations is superimposed with contemporary design, creating spaces where the charm of different eras coexist.
Entrance & Lounge: https://hoshinoarchitects.com/project/mita-garden-hills-entrance-lounge-completed
Common Space: https://hoshinoarchitects.com/project/mita-garden-hills-common-space-completed/
Northwest Entrance and Center Hill Building Lounge Space
The northwest entrance features a large, sweeping curved roof as a landmark, gently welcoming visitors. As one proceeds along the path inside, the combination of metal and stone creates soft light and shadow, guiding the way inward.