undulating science hills in komatsu by urban architecture office
photo by daici ano
all images courtesy of urban architecture office

 

 

 

in komatsu, japan, urban architecture office (UAo) has designed an educational museum and communications complex entitled ‘science hills’. as its name suggests, the scheme is characterized by a series of sinuous and undulating forms, which contain a number of on-site facilities including a 3D dome theater, an industrial promotion complex and an incubation center.

 

a public rooftop garden spread across the upper surface both insulates the entirety of the structure and integrates the architecture of the building with the surrounding natural landscape. the flowing topography also serves as an architectural device to control light and direct rainwater for reuse as planting irrigation.

uao urban architecture office science hills komatsu designboom
the scheme is characterized by a series of sinuous and undulating forms
photo by daici ano

uao urban architecture office science hills komatsu designboom
the complex contains a 3D dome theater, an industrial promotion complex and an incubation center
photo by daici ano

uao urban architecture office science hills komatsu designboom
photo by daici ano

uao urban architecture office science hills komatsu designboom
a public rooftop garden spread across the upper surface insulates the entirety of the structure
photo by daici ano

uao urban architecture office science hills komatsu designboom
the flowing topography also serves as an architectural device to control light
photo by daici ano

uao urban architecture office science hills komatsu designboom
photo by daici ano

uao urban architecture office science hills komatsu designboom
photo by daici ano

uao urban architecture office science hills komatsu designboom
the interlocking sculptural forms
photo by daici ano

uao urban architecture office science hills komatsu designboom
the design references the region’s undulating natural landscape
photo by daici ano

 

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uao urban architecture office science hills komatsu designboom
 
uao urban architecture office science hills komatsu designboom
 
uao urban architecture office science hills komatsu designboom
 
uao urban architecture office science hills komatsu designboom
 
uao urban architecture office science hills komatsu designboom
 
uao urban architecture office science hills komatsu designboom
 
uao urban architecture office science hills komatsu designboom
 
uao urban architecture office science hills komatsu designboom
 

 

project info:

 

location: komatsu, ishikawa, japan
completed: october, 2013
principal use: museum
structure: reinforced concrete
site area: 14,428.84 sqm
building area: 6,153.21 sqm
total floor area: 6,063.03 sqm
architecture: mari ito / UAo
structural engineer: kanebako structural engineers
construction: kumagai gumi + kaetu construction joint venture (architecture)
photography: daici ano