Design Strategy & Exploration

Precedent Studies

Tokyo Institute of Technology Hisao & Hiroko Taki Plaza / Kengo Kuma

STEPPED GREEN ROOF WITH BLEACHERS MERGES WITH GROUND LEVEL, CREATING A NEW ACTIVITY SPACE TO INVITE STUDENTS TO PAUSE AND INTERACT

TOKYO, JAPAN COMPLETED 2020 CAMPUS, INSTITUTE FOR ARCHITECTURE, STRUCTURE, FORM

Mainly underground to preserve existing views of nearby landmark clock tower Building aboveground takes on mound-like form, resembling a natural hill landscape seamlessly integrating with the surroundings

Roof design consists of bleachers with greenery located on inaccessible parts of the roof, sloping down to ground level which encourages human activity and interaction as a makeshift amphitheatre

Interior spaces use the same stepped landscape concept to create intersecting spaces connected by staircases, vertically and horizontally (interior-exterior) Allows events to be held simultaneously between different levels, creating informal boundaries

Glass wall to separate indoor and outdoor staircase creates two separate landscapes that resonate with each other, creating an indoor-outdoor relationship

USAGE OF STEPPED LANDSCAPE CONTINUES IN INTERIOR AND LOWER LEVELS, CREATING INTERSECTING SPACES WITH INFORMAL BOUNDARIES

CLOSEUP SECTIONAL DETAILS OF STEPPED ROOF CONSTRUCTION INSPIRED THE DESIGN OF THE FINAL PROJECT OUTCOME