Escenario Shirokane building by Sasaki Architecture + Ytro Design Institute
15/11/2021.
[Minato-ku - Tokyo] Japan
metalocus, CARLOS GONZÁLEZ
metalocus, CARLOS GONZÁLEZ
Escenario Shirokane is a building with a mixed program (residential, commercial and offices) designed by the Japanese studios Sasaki Architecture + Ytro Design Institute. The building is located on a corner at an intersection of Shirokane, Gonohashidori, a street that runs south of the Furukawa River in Tokyo's Minato district.
The building complex has a triple role of residential, commercial and office spaces.
Despite what it may seem due to the dense and colorful urban fabric of Tokyo, the street on which it is located is wider than usual and the building can be seen from afar, an important aspect in the development of the design.
The building complex has a triple role of residential, commercial and office spaces.
Despite what it may seem due to the dense and colorful urban fabric of Tokyo, the street on which it is located is wider than usual and the building can be seen from afar, an important aspect in the development of the design.
Escenario Shirokane building by Sasaki Architecture + Ytro Design Institute. Photograph by Takumi Ota Photography
Escenario Shirokane building by Sasaki Architecture + Ytro Design Institute. Photograph by Takumi Ota Photography
Escenario Shirokane building by Sasaki Architecture + Ytro Design Institute. Photograph by Takumi Ota Photography
Escenario Shirokane building by Sasaki Architecture + Ytro Design Institute. Photograph by Takumi Ota Photography
Escenario Shirokane building by Sasaki Architecture + Ytro Design Institute. Photograph by Takumi Ota Photography
Escenario Shirokane building by Sasaki Architecture + Ytro Design Institute. Photograph by Takumi Ota Photography
Escenario Shirokane building by Sasaki Architecture + Ytro Design Institute. Photograph by Takumi Ota Photography
Escenario Shirokane building by Sasaki Architecture + Ytro Design Institute. Photograph by Takumi Ota Photography
Escenario Shirokane building by Sasaki Architecture + Ytro Design Institute. Photograph by Takumi Ota Photography
Escenario Shirokane building by Sasaki Architecture + Ytro Design Institute. Photograph by Takumi Ota Photography
Escenario Shirokane building by Sasaki Architecture + Ytro Design Institute. Photograph by Takumi Ota Photography
Escenario Shirokane building by Sasaki Architecture + Ytro Design Institute. Photograph by Takumi Ota Photography
Escenario Shirokane building by Sasaki Architecture + Ytro Design Institute. Photograph by Takumi Ota Photography
Escenario Shirokane building by Sasaki Architecture + Ytro Design Institute. Photograph by Takumi Ota Photography
Escenario Shirokane building by Sasaki Architecture + Ytro Design Institute. Photograph by Takumi Ota Photography
Escenario Shirokane building by Sasaki Architecture + Ytro Design Institute. Photograph by Takumi Ota Photography
Escenario Shirokane building by Sasaki Architecture + Ytro Design Institute. Photograph by Takumi Ota Photography
Escenario Shirokane building by Sasaki Architecture + Ytro Design Institute. Photograph by Takumi Ota Photography
Escenario Shirokane building by Sasaki Architecture + Ytro Design Institute. Photograph by Takumi Ota Photography
Escenario Shirokane building by Sasaki Architecture + Ytro Design Institute. Photograph by Takumi Ota Photography
Escenario Shirokane building by Sasaki Architecture + Ytro Design Institute. Photograph by Takumi Ota Photography
Escenario Shirokane building by Sasaki Architecture + Ytro Design Institute. Photograph by Takumi Ota Photography
Escenario Shirokane building by Sasaki Architecture + Ytro Design Institute. Photograph by Takumi Ota Photography
Escenario Shirokane building by Sasaki Architecture + Ytro Design Institute. Photograph by Takumi Ota Photography
Escenario Shirokane building by Sasaki Architecture + Ytro Design Institute. Photograph by Takumi Ota Photography
Escenario Shirokane building by Sasaki Architecture + Ytro Design Institute. Photograph by Takumi Ota Photography
Escenario Shirokane building by Sasaki Architecture + Ytro Design Institute. Photograph by Takumi Ota Photography
Escenario Shirokane building by Sasaki Architecture + Ytro Design Institute. Photograph by Takumi Ota Photography
Escenario Shirokane building by Sasaki Architecture + Ytro Design Institute. Photograph by Takumi Ota Photography
Escenario Shirokane building by Sasaki Architecture + Ytro Design Institute. Photograph by Takumi Ota Photography
Escenario Shirokane building by Sasaki Architecture + Ytro Design Institute. Photograph by Takumi Ota Photography
Escenario Shirokane building by Sasaki Architecture + Ytro Design Institute. Photograph by Takumi Ota Photography
Escenario Shirokane building by Sasaki Architecture + Ytro Design Institute. Photograph by Takumi Ota Photography
Axonometry. Escenario Shirokane building by Sasaki Architecture + Ytro Design Institute.
Urban site plan. Escenario Shirokane building by Sasaki Architecture + Ytro Design Institute.
Site plan. Escenario Shirokane building by Sasaki Architecture + Ytro Design Institute.
Ground floor plan. Escenario Shirokane building by Sasaki Architecture + Ytro Design Institute.
First floor plan. Escenario Shirokane building by Sasaki Architecture + Ytro Design Institute.
Second floor plan. Escenario Shirokane building by Sasaki Architecture + Ytro Design Institute.
Third floor plan. Escenario Shirokane building by Sasaki Architecture + Ytro Design Institute.
Fourth floor plan. Escenario Shirokane building by Sasaki Architecture + Ytro Design Institute.
Fourth floor plan. Escenario Shirokane building by Sasaki Architecture + Ytro Design Institute.
Ground floor plan. Escenario Shirokane building by Sasaki Architecture + Ytro Design Institute.
Elevations. Escenario Shirokane building by Sasaki Architecture + Ytro Design Institute.
Section. Escenario Shirokane building by Sasaki Architecture + Ytro Design Institute.
Section perspective west. Escenario Shirokane building by Sasaki Architecture + Ytro Design Institute.
Axonometry. Escenario Shirokane building by Sasaki Architecture + Ytro Design Institute.
Section perspective north - east. Escenario Shirokane building by Sasaki Architecture + Ytro Design Institute.
Section perspective north. Escenario Shirokane building by Sasaki Architecture + Ytro Design Institute.
The team by Sasaki Architecture + Ytro Design Institute designed the five-story building, reflecting its exposed concrete structure with a clear iconic vocation on the street. For this they made an interesting movement of panels on the façade that allows them to take advantage of the shadows produced by the change in light throughout the day and the seasons.
The program is developed by floors, starting with the access floor that consists of restaurant units, continuing through the second and fourth floors with two residential units, and finally, on the fourth floor, the entrance to a staircase that leads to the duplex is located. of offices on the fifth floor, with a free height of 3.7 meters.
The openings of the building are designed with large square shapes to recreate the effect of more space and light. The use of materials is based on the idea of minimalism that establishes a dialogue between the existing architecture and the surrounding environment of the building.
Project description by Sasaki Architecture
This project has a triple role of residential, retail, and office spaces within the building complex. Located in Shirokane, Minato ward in Tokyo, it may be found at a corner of a four-way intersection on Gonohashidori — a street which extends to the south of Furukawa River.
While at a first glance the street may seem to have an old-fashioned touch to it, however, it is not as narrow as what the traditional Japanese streets may be seen as — and both facades of the building may be seen from a far distance. For this reason, it was important to design the project to portray the architectural structure as an iconic presence on the street.
The five-stories building’s exterior is composed of RC (reinforced concrete) bearing walls, with a shimmering surface in the light — achieved by the effect of the shifting stainless-steel panels and concrete spirals design. This composition of the facade allows the shadows falling on the street to shift depending on the time of day and seasonal changes, which allows for a wide variety of expressions. This design is appropriate for the lively Shirokane town and allows residents, visitors, pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers to catch the reflections of their vitality. While the first floor of the building consists of restaurant units, led inside by a glass sliding door entrance, the second to fourth floors each have two residential units. Finally, on the fourth floor, an entrance to a staircase leads up to the fifth-floor maisonette, which consists of office space.
These units range from a one-person studio to one-bedroom apartments with living, dining, and kitchen spaces. These are designed to have large openings in square forms to recreate the effect of space, light, and wind. To create a simple design with a minimal amount of waste and a high degree of spatial freedom within the architectural structure’s composition, the bedroom and the living room have the option to be used as one single unit with the assistance of sliding walls. To emphasize the contrast of the materials, white and concrete walls are used. The spatial relationship between the room areas is therefore designed to meet any individual needs of each resident, compromising a flexible structure. In addition, consisting of a two-stories-high ceiling of 3.7 meters with a loft space, the maisonette design may likewise be used not only as an office place — but also as a residential area.
The playful use of materials in the spatial flexibility is based on the idea of minimalism in relation to the building’s surrounding environment, providing a rich and unique experience. A lifestyle with the sense of liberating freedom in space allows the residents to take the leading role in controlling the space. The dialogue between the existing architecture and the surrounding environment is firmly established through the various use of materials and the architectural structure design of the residence unit itself.
More information
Architects
Sasaki Architecture (Architect.- Ryuichi Sasaki) + Ytro Design Institute (Architect.- Rieko Okumura).
Design team
Ryuichi Sasaki, Gen Sakaguchi, Yuriko Ogura / Sasaki Architecture.
Collaborators
Producer.- Hidetaka Gonai / Escenario Co.,Ltd.
Structure Engineer.- Tatsumi Terado / Tatsumi Terado Structural Studio.
Lighting Design.- Natsuha Kameoka / Lighting Sou.
Client
Nobumitsu Ohashi / Shukou Kensetsu Co.,Ltd.
Area
Site area.- 90.97m².
Building Area.- 71.81 m².
Total floor Area.- 346.12 m².
Dates
Completion date.- November 2020.
Location
Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
Photography
Ryuichi Sasaki. Sasaki Architecture
Sasaki Architecture. Architecture firm established on Tokyo, Japan, in 2004 by Ryuichi Sasaki (Principal of Sasaki Architecture. Born in Tokyo, 1970). 1989-1994, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, USA, Bachelor of Architecture. 1994-1995, Columbia University, NYC, USA, Master of Science in Advanced Architectural Design. 1994-1995, Asymptote Architecture, NYC, USA. 1996-2004, Kumesekkei Co.,Ltd, Tokyo, Japan. 2004-Present SASAKI ARCHITECTURE, Principal.
Ryuichi Sasaki is member of Japan Institute of Architects. Chartered Member of Royal Institute of British Architects. International Associate Member of American Institute of Architects.
Awards and Prizes.- 2007 AR Awards for Emerging Architecture 2007 "Commended" (Architectural Review, London, UK). 2007, 2011 AIA Japan Design Award “Grand Prix” (AIA Japan Chapter, USA). 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020,2021 Iconic Awards “Winner” (German Design Council, Frankfurt, Germany). 2016, 2017,2019,2020-2021 Leaf Awards, Shortlisted (Leading European Architects Forum, London, UK) . 2017 International Design Awards, “Gold” (IDA, Los Angeles, USA). 2018, 2020 German Design Awards “Winner” (German Design Council, Frankfurt, Germany). 2018,2020-2021 World Architecture Festival Awards, 4 Projects Shortlisted (WAF, Amsterdam, Holland). 2021 The Plan Award, “Winner”, Office and Business Category (Bologna, Italy).
Ryuichi Sasaki is member of Japan Institute of Architects. Chartered Member of Royal Institute of British Architects. International Associate Member of American Institute of Architects.
Awards and Prizes.- 2007 AR Awards for Emerging Architecture 2007 "Commended" (Architectural Review, London, UK). 2007, 2011 AIA Japan Design Award “Grand Prix” (AIA Japan Chapter, USA). 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020,2021 Iconic Awards “Winner” (German Design Council, Frankfurt, Germany). 2016, 2017,2019,2020-2021 Leaf Awards, Shortlisted (Leading European Architects Forum, London, UK) . 2017 International Design Awards, “Gold” (IDA, Los Angeles, USA). 2018, 2020 German Design Awards “Winner” (German Design Council, Frankfurt, Germany). 2018,2020-2021 World Architecture Festival Awards, 4 Projects Shortlisted (WAF, Amsterdam, Holland). 2021 The Plan Award, “Winner”, Office and Business Category (Bologna, Italy).
Rieko Okumura. Ytro Design Institute
Ytro Design Institute. Architecture firm established in Tokyo in 2018 by Rieko Okumura (Principal, Ytro Design Institute. Born in Osaka, Japan, 1977). 2000, Tsuda College, Bachelor Degree. 2009, Musashino Art University, Bachelor Degree. 2014 Establish of Atelier O. 2016 Iconic Awards 2016, “Winner” (German Design Council, Frankfurt, Germany). 2016 LEAF Awards 2016,2017,2020-2021 "Shortlisted" (Leading European Architects Forum, London, U.K.). 2017 German Design Awards 2018, 2020 “Winner” (German Design Council, Frankfurt, Germany). Visiting Instructor for Musashino Art University. 2018 Establish of YTRO DESIGN INSTITUTE.
