Architect Ichio Matsuzawa has designed a revolutionary pop-up bar for Art Week Tokyo, featuring undulating transparent acrylic walls that create an ever-changing visual experience. The AWT Bar, located in Tokyo's prestigious Aoyama district, showcased innovative architectural techniques using heated acrylic sheets transformed into three-dimensional structures that resembled cascading water flowing from the ceiling.
The architect's vision centered on creating what he calls a "one-of-a-kind space" through the strategic use of transparent materials. "The concept is to create a one-of-a-kind space in each moment through constantly changing reflections and distortions produced by transparent, warped partitions," Matsuzawa explained to Dezeen. This approach transformed the traditional bar experience into a dynamic environment where light, reflections, and human movement continuously altered the atmosphere.
The construction process involved sophisticated material engineering using three-millimeter-thick, highly transparent acrylic glass with exceptional optical properties. "Because it has a light transmittance of 94 percent, the material is almost completely transparent," Matsuzawa detailed. "In addition, it can be thermoformed, and even thin acrylic sheets possess sufficient structural performance to stand on their own." The architect heated these acrylic sheets to create self-supporting three-dimensional shapes that allowed visitors to view the entire space through slightly distorted perspectives.
Rather than making the material the focal point, Matsuzawa designed the installation to highlight human interaction and environmental reflection. "In this work, the acrylic is not the main character; rather, the reflected environments and the people within them take center stage," he emphasized. This philosophy created an immersive experience where guests became part of the artistic installation itself, their movements and presence contributing to the space's constantly evolving character.
The furniture design provided a striking contrast to the high-tech transparent walls through the innovative use of traditional materials. Matsuzawa created seating by rolling up colorful handmade carpets from Central Asia, transforming them into functional chairs. "By wrapping a handmade carpet from Central Asia, it was turned into a chair," he explained. "I found it interesting to use a tactile, material-rich fabric in contrast to the transparent acrylic. I also felt that it would create a more welcoming atmosphere, rather than an inorganic one."
The installation's impact transformed dramatically throughout the day as natural light interacted with the acrylic surfaces from different angles. This "continuously transforming environment," as Matsuzawa described it, was enhanced by carefully curated sound installations and live performances, along with a specially designed food and beverage menu. "We received feedback that the installation gives a completely different impression between day and night," the architect noted. "Combined with the sound installation, people told us it created a very enchanting experience."
The AWT Bar was part of the broader Art Week Tokyo program, which ran from November 5-9 and featured various architectural and design installations throughout the city. The event also included architect Kazuyo Sejima's Tokyo House Tour, which highlighted striking post-war buildings, while the concurrent Designart Tokyo showcased projects by both emerging and established Japanese designers, demonstrating the city's vibrant creative community and innovative approach to temporary architectural interventions.
