Big Architecture

Tokyo, Japan - jeeff - Sunday, June 5th, 2005 : goo

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tokyo's avant-garde architecture tends to the monolithic, echoing the spirit of a city where things need to be big. here are some examples:

^ tokyo international forum (1996), in yurakucho. architect: rafael vinoly - also known as "the ark." one whole side of the ship-shaped building is an unbroken glass wall. all the criss-crossing walkways are open to the public. it would be a great place for a game of tag.

^ another view of the tokyo international forum (above).
for more, see www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Tokyo_International_Forum.html (great photos!).

^ tokyo metropolitan government complex (1991), in shinjuku. architect: tange kenzo - nicknamed "gotham." home to a free observation deck on the 45th floor of each tower (see this article). more info at glasssteelandstone.com/BuildingDetail/168.php.

^ fuji tv headquarters (1996), in odaiba. architect: tange kenzo - located on the landfill island of odaiba, home to a bunch of wild buildings. not surprisingly, it's often seen on tv. definitely one of the most recognized and recognizable corporate head offices in the land. a couple more cool photos at the architect's website: www.ktaweb.com/works/en_fcg.html.

^ telecom center (1996), in odaiba. architect: HOK architects - my favourite building in odaiba, particularly because the flightpath to nearby haneda airport passes right behind, so that you can see planes suspended for a split second in the middle of the building. very surreal. buildings with holes in the middle seem popular in japan. i saw several others, but none were as grand as this.

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