PTW Architects won a design competition for this small commercial block in Tokyo in 2006. ‘Luminous’, was completed in December 2007, has two lower storeys of retail space and seven storeys of office space, and is surrounded on three sides by neighbouring small to medium buildings.

Within the height controls and setback regulations ‘Luminous’ is a building which glows and glistens like finely cut jewellery, crowned with a penthouse rising above the 31m height limit and situated within the set-back line. As most of the surrounding buildings are 31m high, the penthouse enjoys open views from the timber deck terrace to the Tokyo Station area and further up to the Shinjuku district. The façade has a beautiful and deeply curved glass wall, which maximises the frontage for tenants and continually reflects changes in the surrounding environment.