Case study ASAKUSA CULTURE TOURIST INFORMATION CENTER

A S A K U S A C U LT U R E T O U R I S T I N F O R M A T I O N C E N T R E

P r e s e n t i n g b y : s h a m n a d A r c h i t e c t u r e

R e g n o . 1 4 1 8 0 2 7 1

T O K Y O , J A P A N

CASE STUDY OF

On a plot of 326m2 on the corner Kaminari-mon Gate, which deal 234.13m2, the project called for a plural program (multi-purpose building).

This included a tourist information center, a conference hall, a multipurpose hall would accommodate and an exhibition space.

The proposed Kengo Kuma & Associates is a tourist information center that looks like a stack of small houses with sloping roofs rising horizontally.

INTRODUCTION

Kuma’s strategy provides a concise image of the overall building, but also lightens the entire form.

CONCEPT seems to be the result of superimposing a series of traditional houses. Wooden material defining the facades, referring to the traditional Japanese construction

but in a contemporary way. Inside the Center reinterprets the Japanese aesthetic sensibility, but the whole stack

refilled with historical forms itself speaks of a sensitivity. A tower with geometric structure formed by the intersection of different planes projecting,

creating asymmetric perspectives from every point of view. The Centre reduces vertical impact thanks to the movement of their facades,

accompanying his eyes from the ground up. Encouraging the viewer to observe the characteristics unique to each floor. The building roof vertically accumulates involving different activities below, each floor is

related differently to the outside, giving a unique character to each corner.

SPACES Roofs not only divide the housing structure in a plant 8, but determine the role of each.

The shape of the building reveals stratification levels and functions.

Which stands out among its environment without breaking them and maintaining continuity with the soul site.

The first and second floor have an atrium and indoor stairs, creating a sequence in which you can feel the inclination of the two roofs. On the landing between these two plants, architect has placed a wooden platform where free WiFi and a resting place is offered.

On the sixth floor, taking advantage of the sloping roof, has attached a mansard mezzanine that allows all the space to fulfill the functions of theater, conference or exhibition space. In other plants have been added steps inside the room for various uses.

On the eighth floor of the building at a small cafe and an observation deck opened, creating an important moment in construction, for within its panoramic view, you have a clear view to the east beyond the Sumida River.

Axonometric diagram of the centre’s foyer

The center's interior reinterprets Japanese aesthetic sensibilities and of historical forms is uniquely

Spaces are provided for exhibitions, meetings and conferences.

On the eighth floor the building opens up to a small coffee shop and observation deck.

Within the eight-story building, one can distinguish elevational permutations of silhouettes of vernacular dwellings Japan: Machiya (house), the Ageya (home entertainment) and the row of houses called Nagaya, to name a few.

As a composition of stacked layers, Kuma takes what would otherwise be a fragmented accumulation and its facade conceals long vertical members.

A reinterpretation of the traditional lattice facades. This does not only provide a concise picture of construction in general, but gently illuminates the way.

STRUCTURE

MATERIALS• Its construction is basically a mixture of steel, wood and glass.

• Lamas cedar shade each of the four double glazed curtain walls of plants, spaced differently, depending on the shading or privacy required by the interior rooms.

• The inner surfaces of the building are also coated with various woods, wavy, horizontal on the east wall of the second floor, hiding drawers, or oak boards in soils.

• In each of the sloping roofs covering different levels steel plate was used.

• Vertically marking the space occupied by the plant, the hole formed by the intersection between the ceiling and the floor of the plant that is above.

• Where the architect ingeniously hidden all technical services and systems used in the different rooms, auditorium, multipurpose areas and exhibition spaces.

• Which, thus, can use as much bandwidth available. This technical solution is noticeable on the façade.

• Becoming a compositional innovation and revealing more about interior design, as in the conference hall or auditorium whose roofs with a steep slope is reflected on the floor upstairs

WOOD DESIGN