SWEEP JIU-JITSU ACADEMY
A project for a Brazilian Jiu-jitsu dojo. At first glance, it appears to be just another office space on the ground floor of a typical office building, its fittings and exterior walls are finished to match the neighboring buildings. To create an immediate sense of detachment from everyday life upon entering, we first set the skeleton as the default spatial condition. Upon this, a base structure was built using light gauge steel (LGS), and the various functions required for Brazilian Jiu-jitsu were then layered upon it.
This dojo was intended for extensive uses beyond Jiu-jitsu, including pop-up events and regular talk events. Consequently, within the limited floor area, a spatial quality capable of flexibly accommodating diverse functions—such as monitors, hangers, lighting, sound systems, air conditioning, mats, benches, signage, and art—was required. To achieve this, a grid was established to contain these elements. Gray 910×910 modular mats were then fitted into this grid, forming the dojo’s fundamental structure.
Regarding the changing rooms, although the time spent there is brief, we carefully selected materials to provide a space that cares for well-trained bodies and offers breather for naked skin. Rather than exposing the skeleton or LGS, the space is enveloped in wood that is gentle to the touch, creating a visually calming environment where one can take a moment to relax. (Jo Nagasaka)
DATA
Title: SWEEP JIU-JITSU Studio
Architect: Jo Nagasaka / Schemata Architects
Project Architect: Tsubasa Ito
Location: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Primary Use: Dojo
Contractor: AIM CREATE
Collaborators:
– ISAMI (Mat Installation)
– Endo Lighting (Lighting Design)
Number of Stories: 1 above ground
Total Floor Area: 166.16 m²
Structure: Steel Frame Construction
Completion: July 2025
Opening: July 2025
Photography: Kenta Hasegawa