Daiwa Ubiquitous Computing Research Building
14/07/2014.
By Kengo Kuma and Associates. [Tokyo] Japan
metalocus, SARA REBOLLO
metalocus, SARA REBOLLO
The architects at Kengo Kuma and Associates developed a façade made of overlapping timber panels in order move away from campus buildings traditional image, which usually show a much colder and hard appearance, built with materials such as concrete, metal or stone.
In addition to the university facilities, the building also houses the research centre facilities, a gallery and a large assembly hall.
It is perfectly settled in its context and a passage on the ground floor connects the main road in front of the building with a rear garden which is part of the university's guest house.
Description of project by Kengo Kuma and Associates.
The building was constructed for the university’s new field of research on ubiquitous computing.
Our aim was to break away from conventional image of campuses that consist of hard materials such as concrete, metal or stone, and to instead design a soft building made with wood and earth. Here, scalelike panels of natural materials (wood and earth) gently undulate to form a smooth and organic façade.
At the center of the building comes an organ-like aperture covered with soft membrane. It joins the lane in the front and the Japanese garden (part of the university president’s guest house) at the back.
The opening also generates a gentle and organic flow of light and wind in the campus, which is otherwise dominated by the strict grid arrangement.
CREDITS.-
Architect.- Kengo Kuma and Associates.
Area.- 2709.53 m2.
Dates.- 2012-2014.
Location.- Tokyo, Japan.
Kengo Kuma was born in Yokohama (Kanagawa, Japan) in 1954. He studied architecture at the University of Tokyo, finishing his degree in 1979. In 1987, he opened the "Spatial Design Studio". In 1990 he founded "Kengo Kuma & Associates" and extend the study to Europe (Paris, France) in 2008. Since 1985 and until 2009, has taught as visiting professor and holder at the universities of Columbia, Keio, Illinois and Tokyo.
Main Awards:
· 2011 The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's Art Encouragement Prize for "Yusuhara Wooden Bridge Museum."
· 2010 Mainichi Art Award for “Nezu Museum.”
· 2009 "Decoration Officier de L'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres" (France).
· 2008 Energy Performance + Architecture Award (France). Bois Magazine International Wood Architecture Award (France).
· 2002 Spirit of Nature Wood Architecture Award (Finland).
· 2001 Togo Murano Award for “Nakagawa-machi Bato Hiroshige Museum.”
· 1997 Architectural Institute of Japan Award for “Noh Stage in the Forest”. First Place, AIA DuPONT Benedictus Award for “Water/Glass” (USA).