#Japan #Chuo #AS Architects #H inc. #Studio Xxingham

H inc. Revamps AS Architectural Firm's Website

H inc., based in Chuo, Tokyo, has unveiled a redesigned website for AS Architects, co-founded by renowned architects Jun Aoki and Masatoshi Shinagawa. This project not only emphasizes the firm's architectural works but also establishes a comprehensive web archive that allows visitors to explore an extensive collection of resources including photographs, drawings, models, scrapbooks, notes, and texts accumulated by AS over time.

The new website structure prioritizes access to the thought processes, considerations, and reflections that shape the design activities of AS Architects. With a focus on UX/UI design, information architecture, and front-end implementation, H inc. tackled various aspects of website development, while collaborating closely with Studio Xxingham K.K. on the database editing policy to manage intellectual property and artworks.

A Unique Approach to Architectural Presentation

Typically, architecture firm websites are dominated by completion photographs and highlight projects. However, the redesigned AS website breaks from this norm. It draws attention not only to completed structures but also to the underlying thought processes that inform these works. The site enables users to access traces of design thinking, considerations, and documentation in a cohesive manner. H inc. organized the vast resources into two categories: 'Projects' and 'Materials,' allowing users to navigate the architectural practice from both the perspective of completed projects and archival materials.

Each resource—photographs, drawings, notes, scrapbooks, and texts—is treated not merely as records but as informational assets that illuminate the architects' thought processes. This innovative approach transforms the website into a platform for interpretation, knowledge acquisition, and future inspiration.

Designing for User Experience

Digital design often emphasizes screens, functionality, and systems, but behind these elements lies a complex web of sensory decisions. This project prioritized not only the efficient organization of materials but also the user experience. It allows visitors to seamlessly transition from one resource to another—moving from projects to processes, and from documentation to newfound interests.

Responsive design ensures that the website is accessible across various devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones. H inc. aims to elevate the website from a mere display medium to an interface that promotes understanding and learning, thereby creating pathways for deeper insights and connections.

The mission of H inc. extends beyond design; it seeks to decode the intricate values and ideas held by enterprises, cultural institutions, creators, and brands, using the power of information design to convey these concepts in a more profound and expansive manner. This project serves as a prime example of that vision in action.

Project Overview

Project Name: AS Archive Website
Client: AS Co. Ltd.
Developed by: H inc.
Core Areas of Responsibility: Information design, UX/UI design, front-end implementation, system development, visual design
Database Planning & Editing: Studio Xxingham K.K.
Project Advisory: Gottingham
Website: AS Architects
Launch Date: May 2026

Accessing Project Resources

For press images related to this project, you can view them at the following link: Press Materials.

Experience the newly redesigned AS website, a digital archive that not only showcases architectural landmarks but also serves as a rich repository of the thought and design processes behind them.