‘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
GENETO STUDIO (12)
Dec 03, 2020
Feb 02, 2019
Jan 10, 2019
Aug 28, 2017
Apr 26, 2016PRODUCT LIBRARY
Jan 14, 2021
Jan 13, 2021
Jan 13, 2021
Jan 12, 2021
as stated above….clearly the designer DOES NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IVY!!!
Paul has a point- ivy is actually very ugly & dull when seen from under the leaves – it’s rigid leaves cut out all light and air eventually. Virginia creeper on the other hand has the advantage of translucent leaves, colour in autumn and leaf loss in winter, when you want full sun and they flutter in the breeze. If you live in a meditterranean climate,grapes do all this and give you fruit and wine! All you need to get rid of rats in any creeper or vine is a houshold cat! I had the pleasure of living in a ficus creeper covered stable in Glenroy Road, Durban and was fascinated by the nightly wars on the ceiling between cockroaches and (imported) geckos…….
It’s time architects learned that Ivy is usually a menace. For one, it harbors rats. For another, it is rarely native where it is used. I’d suggest alternatives, but what is really needed is for all of us to start thinking in terms of the plants that grow natively where we design. Not only are natives better able to grow without excessive inputs like irrigation and fertilizer, they support other native plants and animals.
wow… its’ like a japanese version of OMA