Tokyo

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Tokyo International Forum
Architect Rafael Viñoly
GSD 7213 International Design Practice Prof. Jay
Wickersham Case Study Assignment Grace
Leung Tets Takemoto
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Competition and Program
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A New Civic and Cultural Center for Tokyo

• proposed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in
  1989 at the height of Japans economic boom
• governor Shunichi Suzuki calls for a new symbol
  of Japans economic prosperity as well as a
  global meeting ground where citizens of Tokyo
  can meet with other people from all over the
  world.
• Japans first international competition

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The Program

• hybrid cultural activities with a business
  focus
• 4 theaters ranging from 350-5,000 seats
• business convention facilities, conference
  centers, offices
• cultural retail, mediatech, galleries,
  cinemas, library
• 4.000 sq. meter open public plaza
• pedestrian connections between two major trains
  stations capable of exceeding 7 million people
  per day

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International Design Competition

• jury I.M. Pei, Kenzo Tange, Arthur Erickson,
  Fumihiko Maki, and Vittorio Gregotti
• drew 395 entries from 50 countries
• 1st place Rafael Vinoly
• 2nd place Tomohisa Yuri (floating hall)

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International Design Competition

• exceedingly well-balance solution for the
  programmatic requirement. Among the works, it is
  the most site-specific. jury
• when realized, this project will give Tokyo an
  urban space of a form and scale that it has not
  yet known. Maki

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Site and Cultural Effects
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Site Context

• trapezoidal site
• in heart of Tokyos CBD
• close to important business districts and
  cultural and commercial centers, Imperial Palace
• proximity to two major train stations
• historically rich site

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Economic Background

• height of Japans economic bubble
• in 1991, cost of construction 768 million
• Vinolys fee 7 or 56 million highest
  commission ever in Japan
• costs escalated to 1.65 billion
• recession - 1992

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Design Intentions

• Japanese politeness with Western expressiveness
• rare green, urban, open space
• ground level public space encourages meandering

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Design Intentions

• .building elements align with existing urban
  geometries
• blank, solid expanse facing railroad tracks
• blend in with surroundings

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Architect and Client Relationship
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Viñolys Relationship with TMG

• enthusiastic client we felt we must help him
  realize his vision
• Vinoly obtained license in Japan became
  architect of record
• bi-monthly commutes between Tokyo and New York

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Team of Local and International Consultants

• east-west partnerships
• Local Japanese Architectural Consultant Masao
  Shiina
• Engineering Structural Design Group Umezawa
  Structural Design Laboratory Hanawa Structural
  Design Sasaki Structural Planning Laboratory
  Yokoyama Structural Design
• Consulting firms
• Acoustics J.H.S. Acoustics Yamaha Acoustical
  Research
• Lighting Engle Lighting Consultants Yutaka
  Inaba
• Landscaping ALP
• Signage Plants Associate
• Cost estimation Futaba Quantity Survey
• Mechanical Electrical P.T. Morimura Assoc.
• Mechanical transportation John Van Deusen
  Assoc.
• Stage Mechanism/Lighting Jules Fisher Assoc.

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The Role of the Contractors

• construction begins in 1992
• two contractors
• Taisei Corp. (theater block)
• Obayashi Corp. (glass exhibition hall)
• Vinolys office led construction management

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Role Diagram
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Construction Process and Dynamic
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Dynamic Sequence of Construction

• from traditional linear sequence to a more
  dynamic collaboration process
• maximizing use of technology
• architects, engineers, consultants, and
  contractors all work within a 3-story building on
  site

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Dynamic Sequence of Construction

• large scale models and mock-ups
• developing details in conjunction with
  consultants and engineers

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Japanese Construction Methods
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Japanese Construction Methods
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Influence of Local Climate and Environment

• Tokyo is prone to earthquakes and major typhoons
• carefully engineered exposed steel and glass
  structure
• columns use new Japanese steel making technology
• introverted scheme

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Japanese Building Technology
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Overall Assessment
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Praise

• this public space is exceptionally permeable . .
  . a protected public forum in the center of
  Tokyo that is surely comparable to the historic
  role played by the Piazza San Marco in Venice.
  Kenneth Frampton
• The Glass Hall is not a church and this is 20th
  century Japan, not 13th-century France. But
  this is as good as space gets without age and
  religion to mold its character. Muschamp of
  the New York Times

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Criticism

• the idea of an international competition is
  fine but it is always decided by a majority
  which after all selects faultless, modest
  projects. Tomohisa Yuri
• I am writing to you to ask what is this alien
  object in front of Yurakucho station? as I found
  your name on it. Akira Suzuki (in a letter to
  Governor of Tokyo)

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Justification for the Forum?

• ambitious program brief
• Why Tokyo?
• The job of an architect is basically to design a
  space that is faithful to the given program. I do
  not believe an architect is not responsible for
  how that program works. Rafael Viñoly

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Viñolys Final Words

• The Tokyo International Forum is a reminder of
  the opportunities and challenges that come with
  the internationalization of architectural
  practice and emphasizes the importance of an
  interactive relationship between the architects
  and construction companies and the client.
  Rafael Viñoly

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Effectiveness of Japanese Model

• dissolution of disciplinary boundaries
• Japanese model one architect controlling
  design and construction
• technical resources
• great attention to detail, craft and precision

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The End
Tokyo International Forum