Tenjincho Place: Finding beauty in ‘imperfection’

The site is located along the approach to a renowned shrine and on the edge of a plateau in the Yushima district of Tokyo. In recent years, buildings in the area have been replaced by apartment complexes, which rapidly transformed the area’s spatial character.

There were a few challenges within the site context that significantly shaped the design, namely the irregular shape of the plot and the lighting conditions, both due to buildings surrounding it from three directions. In response, the architects created a mass that resembled a thin curved board wrapped around a void, ensuring that each residential unit could obtain light, natural ventilation and views.

Capturing light and air

Having such a shape for the mass posed another challenge—the courtyard in the centre of the building would be dimly lit. In the effort to make this in-between space more welcoming, the architects implemented three strategies to introduce a sense of openness and better daylighting in the space.

Firstly, they minimised the number of corridors along the courtyard to reduce shading. By converting the end of each corridor into a maisonette residential unit spanning two floors, they were able to effectively divide the corridors.

Secondly, side openings were inserted to face the courtyard, serving as balconies for both common areas and residences. These openings allow for light and air to enter from various directions.

Thirdly, they applied textures to the 30-metre-high wall to enhance the perception of even the slightest light. This was done by reusing materials that had been deemed unsuitable for typical construction as formwork, with the goal of achieving a ‘linear yet irregular’ appearance.

Finding beauty in ‘imperfection’

In recent years, the local forestry industry has faced difficulties due to the proliferation of fungal diseases, which caused tree trunks to become permanently grooved and weakened. Finding the value in these ‘imperfect’ materials, the architects aimed to permanently imprint them into the design.

Hence, the courtyard’s formwork was made from Japanese cedar logs sourced from the Wooden Station Project in Sammu City, Chiba. This initiative aims to sustain healthy forests by acquiring thinned wood and forest residue that have been collected from forest owners. During construction, the logs were sliced into 15-millimetre pieces, retaining the grooved bark on one side and affixing them onto plywood to create the formwork. This technique allowed them to capture the organic contours of the logs into the concrete, resulting in a courtyard with a diverse interplay of light and shadow.

A space to linger in

While the courtyard may not be brightly illuminated, the designers have received numerous remarks from users that express a desire to linger there indefinitely, simply taking in the ambiance. Moreover, they were able to enjoy gentle breezes on the balconies, even in the absence of wind. This shows that the design strategies were able to provide pleasant light and ventilation conditions, even within the high-density environment. For its successful application of architectural solutions, Tenjincho Place has received the Nomination Committee’s Top Selection in the first Japan Architecture Award—Architecture Awards for Everyone in 2024.

PROJECT DATA

Read more stories below:

MONOSPINAL: Bringing ‘video game’ architecture to life

MONOSPINAL: Bringing ‘video game’ architecture to life

This project serves as the headquarters of a game production company in Tokyo. According to the design team, the office aims to become “a place for the highest level of creation that captivates fans worldwide and supports the foundation of the game production process”. As almost all employees will be engaged in creative operations, the design team focused on providing a balance between concentration and relaxation while significantly removing the burden of operational work. This is done by creating a building envelope that can ‘shield’ the inner functions from its site limitations, as well as introducing a building system where […]

GREEN@WAN CHAI: A recycling centre out of the ordinary

GREEN@WAN CHAI: A Recycling Centre Out of the Ordinary

Recycling has become a transactional task. We would bring used glass bottles, cans and waste paper to the recycling depot, and sort them into the various coloured bins denoting the items each one accepts. It is precisely how convenient recycling has become that recycling centres have become mundane infrastructure—they are seen as uninspiring and no longer demonstrating the important role they play to conserve natural resources and reduce pollution. To address such concerns, the Environment Protection Department (EPD) rebranded its recycling centres under the catchy moniker GREEN@ COMMUNITY and opened new recycling stations across Hong Kong. They are the largest […]

Read more stories from FuturArc 2Q 2024: In-between Spaces!