Project: Azabudai Hills
Architecture: Heatherwick Studio
Photo: Raquel Diniz
Geo: Tokyo, JP
A news flash this morning on RIA announced the completion of Japan’s tallest skyscraper, the MoriJP Tower, standing at 330 meters. At first glance, it appears to be a typical glass building. However, the Azabudai Hills district, where it has been integrated, arouses special interest.
The design of the area began in the late 1980s, and only now has construction been completed. The district covers an area of 8 hectares, of which 2.5 hectares are green spaces. This is almost in the center of ultra-compact Tokyo!
Another feature is the nature of the constructions. Despite the hypertrophied volumes of the framework enveloping the district’s central street, it does not create a feeling of kitsch. On the contrary, it generalizes the architecture and softly levels the transition from skyscrapers to low-rise buildings.
Overall, maintaining an adequate compositional balance between skyscrapers and low-rise buildings is a very challenging task. Azabudai Hills is a good example of how this challenge can and should be addressed.
Architecture: Heatherwick Studio
Photo: Raquel Diniz
Geo: Tokyo, JP
A news flash this morning on RIA announced the completion of Japan’s tallest skyscraper, the MoriJP Tower, standing at 330 meters. At first glance, it appears to be a typical glass building. However, the Azabudai Hills district, where it has been integrated, arouses special interest.
The design of the area began in the late 1980s, and only now has construction been completed. The district covers an area of 8 hectares, of which 2.5 hectares are green spaces. This is almost in the center of ultra-compact Tokyo!
Another feature is the nature of the constructions. Despite the hypertrophied volumes of the framework enveloping the district’s central street, it does not create a feeling of kitsch. On the contrary, it generalizes the architecture and softly levels the transition from skyscrapers to low-rise buildings.
Overall, maintaining an adequate compositional balance between skyscrapers and low-rise buildings is a very challenging task. Azabudai Hills is a good example of how this challenge can and should be addressed.