A.1.1. Case Study 1 Toyo Ito’s Tod’s Omotesando Building
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Toyo Ito’s Tod’s Omotesando building is situated in Tokyo, Japan squeezed amongst some unusually bland residential architectural situations which is reflected in the Tod’s L-shaped wrap-around plan. The Tod’s building is of particular interest as it is derived from something found in nature - this being a tree. It is presumed that the facade was generated from the analysis of the naturally occurring tree branch structure. However irregular this may seem it is noted that the building contains both upright and oblique elements which act as a very efficient structural system for the building. The Tod’s building is constructed with composite materials, these being reinforced concrete - the beauty of which allows for angular elements to be a part of its structure. The materials in discussion allow for compression where the concrete would crack on a minute level allowing for the steel reinforcement to become the banding tensile structure. It is important to note that the characteristics of concrete used in this manner provide the opportunity for further abstraction of form to be achieved enabling a built outcome. It is particularly apparent at night when artificial lighting enables viewing of the interior, as light filled cavities; create voids as irregular as branches create within a tree. Though, irregular they may seem, there is an underlying pattern which is obvious when observing the branches of the tree. In comparison to this building’s natural inspiration it can be said that the tree optimises its growth in relation to the mass of the branching members holding up the canopy. This means reducing the member size as the tree grows to expand and optimise its ability to capture the sun’s rays. The Tod’s building has underlying patterns of structure that allow for loads to be distributed towards the foundation in similarly optimized fashion. They are positioned throughout the building’s skin which allows openings in the façade. This tree-like structure brings the external in and projects the internal out.
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