kengo kuma wraps nook constructing in tokyo with vertical concrete panels

maxplan azabu 10 by kengo kuma

 

kengo kuma‘s ‘maxplan azabu 10’ is a corner tenant building set in front of azabujuban station, in tokyo. the final composition is wrapped in vertical concrete panels alternating with glazed surfaces, making it stand out among the surrounding massive blocks. in addition to serving as a new symbol for the city, the characteristic envelope provides its occupants with extraordinary spatial experience, capturing city views through the irregular frames. © ︎kawasumi ・ kobayashi kenji photograph office

 

 

a new symbol of tokyo street corner

 

the design team utilized an industrial product dubbed ALC (autoclaved lightweight concrete) plate in an attempt to create a façade that functions as a landmark of tokyo’s azabu juban district. ‘I tried to create a rich and shaded expression.’ using the ALC arrangement, which tends to have a simple look, the architects realized a design reminiscent of the details of a traditional japanese wall called yamato paste, and transformed it into a symbol of the tokyo street corner. meanwhile, they opted for panels of different sizes and textures to highlight the district’s diversity, adding a more dynamic look to the urban surroundings. 

 

viewing from the street corner

detail of the facade

 

 

 

project info:

 

name: maxplan azabu 10

architects: kengo kuma & associates | @kkaa_official

design team: tetsuo suma, yu tamaku, mizuho ozawa, tomochika miki, higashi kunieda, moe kanoko, hiroyo yamamoto, teppei iizuka (former staff member)
structure: ono japan
equipment: morimura design
construction: aoki komuten

area: 942.26 sqm

location: tokyo

photography: ︎ © ︎kawasumi ・ kobayashi kenji photograph office

 

christina petridou I designboom

feb 22, 2022