geneto: ivy building

‘ivy building’ by geneto all images courtesy geneto

the ivy building by japanese architects geneto is a complex, planned for a medium high rise area in tokyo. the small scale building is comprised of different programs on each  floor – retail on the first floor, offices on the second, third and fourth floors and an atelier/ residence on the fifth and sixth floors.

the overall shape of the’ ivy building’ was determined by legal restraints to derive maximum volumes. when designing the complex geneto regarded the stairway as a linear space, and wrapped it around the building. they added a gallery along the stairway to provide a culural section within the complex.

for the exterior the architects came up with an idea to clad the building with steel mesh and cover it with ivy to strengthen the unity of the building. the facade created by the ivy gives the building character and does not give a commercial impression.

view from above

the different levels visible from the outside

side view

side view

view from above

the model placed within the surrounding highrises

the model placed within the surrounding highrises

inside the ‘ivy building’

entrance and parking area

the ivy facade

the ivy facade

interior

the stairway

the different programs