atelier tekuto - busan eco-center & japanese pavillion in gondar...........................................................................................................................................................................



atelier tekuto
busan eco-center & japanese
pavillion in gondar


architecture studio, atelier tekuto began working on small,
local projects in japan. after the success of their first international
project in korea, the firm is setting their sites on future
collaborations around the world, beginning in the unlikely
setting of gondar, ethiopia.

over the past few years, atelier tekuto has become well known
for their innovative residential projects in tokyo. the studio's
design of the 'cell brick' residence won them first place
in the british ar+d awards for emerging architecture in 2004.
this building showcased the architectural vision of the studio
and its lead architect yasuhiro yamashita. after their early
success, the studio continues to develop residences which
push the boundaries of design and engineering.


busan eco-center
in 2004, the studio also won the competition to design 'the busan
eco-center' in south korea. the new facility opened during
the summer of 2007. as an educational centre for issues
pertaining to environmental protection and sustainability,
atelier tekuto introduced a number of eco-oriented design
features into the building. these range from solar powered
exterior lighting to the extensive use of local materials.
the interior is filled with light coming from a variety of openings,
linking it to the natural setting outside. despite its completion,
yasuhiro yamashita is still eager to implement more
environmentally forward ideas, such as a green roof designed
to promote indigenous wildlife.

the eco-center project was the beginning of many new things
for atelier tekuto. to start, it gave them one of their first
chances to work on a large-scale public building.
despite their inexperience with projects of this scale, the studio
took on the challenge. yasuhiro yamashita believes that the
basic architectural approach the studio perfected on small scale
residential projects, is also applicable for projects of a larger
scale. secondly, it allowed the studio to branch out from their
native japan. they now make a point of building relationships
in other countries and regions, working with local people and
materials to enrich their work.


japanese pavillion in gondar
the studio is currently applying this new approach to the
design of the japanese pavilion in gondar, ethiopia.
this project was conceived of to celebrate the ethiopian new
year. because the country follows the julian calendar, which is
approximately seven years behind the gregorian calendar,
2007 marks the start of their new millennium. a number of
events are planned to celebrate this momentous year,
including an international exchange between oda (japan) and
gondar. central to this cross-cultural exchange is the
transportation of an old japanese wooden house from oda to
the city of gondar. yamashita is overseeing thestructure's
voyage and transforming it for its new environment. the project
will concentrate on adapting the building for this new context
through environmental practices like recycling and reuse of
local materials.

the city of gondar is filled with history, having once been the
imperial capital of ethiopia. in the 16th and 17th century,
the fortified city (then known as fasil ghebbi) was the residence
of ethiopian emperor fasilides and his successors. because of
this, the city is filled with architectural monuments, including its
ancient surrounding wall, as well as a number of palaces,
churches and monasteries. most of its historical buildings
display a blend of hindu and arabic influences, with later
buildings demonstrating the baroque elements brought by
jesuit missionaries. the city's historical significance earned it
the designation of a unesco world heritage site.

the gondar project will turn the japanese house into a
vocational training facility for residents in the community.
the education program will promote and preserve traditional
local craft techniques through teaching. to allow the building
to function as a learning centre, the roof will be covered with
transparent solar panels that will provide the core source of
electrical power. in addition, the building will be accompanied
by a vertical axis windmill, which will deliver additional power.
both will connect to a battery station to store unused power.
these natural energy sources will allow the building to provide
lighting, craft production, information technology and a water
pump. the pump will draw from a ground water source below
its housing in a separate building, modeled after a traditional
ethiopian circular house. inside this building, a layered natural
water purification system will clean the water for general use
and drinking.


cross-cultural exchange
the final building will be ready for use by the summer of 2008.
it is a successful combination of traditional japanese
and ethiopian design, accompanied by some of the most
advanced energy capturing technology in the world.
when operational it will provide the community of gondar with
clean drinking water, energy produced from natural resources
and a new training center to continue the practice of traditional
craft. this project is a perfect articulation of atelier tekuto's
new focus on cross-cultural exchange, sustainability and
local production and materials. it also proves that the studio's
core philosophy of achieving a balance between society,
the environment and function works on many scales and
many contexts. along with 'the busan eco-center', the gondar
project is posed to be another step forward for the innovative
studio.


http://www.tekuto.com


in 2005, designboom interviewed atelier tekuto's lead
architect, yasuhiro yamashita









'busan eco-center' by atelier tekuto, 2004-2007



'busan eco-center' by atelier tekuto, 2004-2007



'busan eco-center' by atelier tekuto, 2004-2007



'busan eco-center' by atelier tekuto, 2004-2007



‘gardens of domaine 'busan eco-center' by atelier tekuto, 2004-2007



'busan eco-center' by atelier tekuto, 2004-2007



'busan eco-center' by atelier tekuto, 2004-2007



'busan eco-center' by atelier tekuto, 2004-2007



'busan eco-center' by atelier tekuto, 2004-2007



view of gondar, ethiopia



japanese pavillion building site in gondar



diagram of energy and water use in japanese pavillion



architectural ruins in gondar



architectural ruins in gondar



traditional ethiopian circular building style



market in gondar







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