ryuichi ashizawa architects: asakusa tree

asakusa tree by ryuichi ashizawa architects photo © masaki sunada image courtesy ryuichi ashizawa architects

asakusa is a very big tourist area in tokyo, japan. this project by ryuichi ashizawa architects is a proposal for a center for tourism and culture in the area. the site is in front of sosenji-temple which is also a popular landmark.

they proposed a ‘living façade’ for this facility. it was designed without any walls to not hide the interior, but showing it through louvered window and other kinds of programs. the structure of the building can be divided into the core part;  made from steel reinforced concrete and the façade part; made from structural steel. especially, each floor in façade area is supported by spiraled pillars like a vine. the building uses natural energy from the sun, wind and rain. underground water is pumped through  a part of the core and supplies every space on the tree like facade.

image courtesy ryuichi ashizawa architects

image courtesy ryuichi ashizawa architects

image courtesy ryuichi ashizawa architects