Dec. 10. 2024
Reviewed by David Vi Boi Huynh, BOI ARCHI DESIGN
1. What Form Did Thomas Heatherwick Give to Azabudai Hills?
For the Azabudai Hills project in Tokyo, Heatherwick Studio gave "form" to a human-centered urban district defined by curving, green-topped architecture and a multi-layered, community-focused design. This form is both physical and conceptual, reflecting the studio's vision of creating a place for living, working, and connecting while preserving and enhancing the essence of the neighborhood.
For the Azabudai Hills project in Tokyo, Heatherwick Studio gave "form" to a human-centered urban district defined by curving, green-topped architecture and a multi-layered, community-focused design. This form is both physical and conceptual, reflecting the studio's vision of creating a place for living, working, and connecting while preserving and enhancing the essence of the neighborhood.
Curving Green Roofs:
The architecture features organic, flowing rooflines covered in greenery, integrating buildings with nature. These rooftops reduce the visual mass of structures, making them feel more approachable and human-scaled.
The greenery contributes to Tokyo's urban ecosystem, creating a sense of tranquility amidst the density of the city.
The architecture features organic, flowing rooflines covered in greenery, integrating buildings with nature. These rooftops reduce the visual mass of structures, making them feel more approachable and human-scaled.
The greenery contributes to Tokyo's urban ecosystem, creating a sense of tranquility amidst the density of the city.
Blended Functions:
The design merges residential, retail, cultural, and office spaces into a cohesive whole. This mixed-use form encourages interaction and dynamism, reflecting the daily rhythms of a real community.
The design merges residential, retail, cultural, and office spaces into a cohesive whole. This mixed-use form encourages interaction and dynamism, reflecting the daily rhythms of a real community.
Pedestrian-Centered Layout:
The project prioritizes walkability with interconnected pathways, plazas, and public spaces. A 700-meter covered pedestrian route ensures easy and weather-protected movement across the district.
The project prioritizes walkability with interconnected pathways, plazas, and public spaces. A 700-meter covered pedestrian route ensures easy and weather-protected movement across the district.
Distinct Neighborhood Identity:
The Y-shaped site is divided into three segments, each with its own unique character:
1. Retail Hub along Sakurada-Dori.
2. Business District in the southern section.
3. Residential Neighborhood in the western area.
This diversity makes the development feel like a patchwork of smaller communities rather than a monolithic district.
The Y-shaped site is divided into three segments, each with its own unique character:
1. Retail Hub along Sakurada-Dori.
2. Business District in the southern section.
3. Residential Neighborhood in the western area.
This diversity makes the development feel like a patchwork of smaller communities rather than a monolithic district.
Community and Memory:
The form retains threads of the area’s cultural memory by involving local residents and businesses in the planning process. This ensures continuity with the site's past while embracing modernity.
The form retains threads of the area’s cultural memory by involving local residents and businesses in the planning process. This ensures continuity with the site's past while embracing modernity.
2. How Did They Give This Form?
Heatherwick Studio achieved this form through a layered and participatory design process that spanned decades.
Heatherwick Studio achieved this form through a layered and participatory design process that spanned decades.
Engaging the Community: The form was shaped by a collaborative approach with the Mori Building Company and local residents over 30 years. The long-term dialogue preserved community ties and ensured that the development met the needs of its future users.
Design Philosophy: Heatherwick’s approach centers on human experience. The architecture and landscape were designed to encourage interaction, foster a sense of belonging, and prioritize the needs of pedestrians over vehicles.
Green Integration: The extensive use of greenery on rooftops, terraces, and public spaces creates an urban oasis. This biophilic design softens the hard edges of the city and improves air quality and biodiversity.
Site-Specific Solutions: The irregular Y-shaped site demanded creative problem-solving. Heatherwick’s design respects these constraints by weaving together the three sections while preserving their individual identities.
Attention to Craft and Detail: The curving forms and flowing designs were executed with precision, blending seamlessly into Tokyo’s urban fabric. The mix of traditional Japanese influences and contemporary aesthetics reflects the city’s character.
3. Is It a Good Form for the Public?
Yes, the form of Azabudai Hills is exceptionally well-suited to public needs.
Yes, the form of Azabudai Hills is exceptionally well-suited to public needs.
Community-Oriented: The project prioritizes residents and visitors by offering mixed-use spaces and prioritizing walkability. It avoids the alienation common in large-scale developments by preserving a human scale and incorporating input from local communities.
Sustainability: The integration of greenery improves environmental conditions, while the district’s design reduces the reliance on cars.
Cultural Sensitivity: By respecting local history and context, the development feels like a continuation of Tokyo’s fabric rather than a disruption.
4. Will It Continue Giving Form to Tokyo's Community in the Future?
Yes, Azabudai Hills has the potential to sustain and enhance Tokyo’s urban community for years to come.
Yes, Azabudai Hills has the potential to sustain and enhance Tokyo’s urban community for years to come.
Longevity of Mixed-Use Design:
The blend of residential, commercial, and cultural spaces ensures long-term vitality, as these elements collectively create a self-sustaining community.
The blend of residential, commercial, and cultural spaces ensures long-term vitality, as these elements collectively create a self-sustaining community.
Future-Proofing: The focus on greenery, pedestrian pathways, and public spaces aligns with global trends in urban planning, ensuring the project remains relevant.
Cultural and Economic Hub: Its location and design will likely make it a focal point for both locals and international visitors, contributing to Tokyo’s cultural and economic ecosystem.
Template for Future Regeneration: The participatory approach and human-centered design can serve as a model for other regeneration projects in Japan and beyond.
5. Conclusion
Azabudai Hills demonstrates how architecture can transform a space into a community while honoring the past and embracing the future through Heatherwick Studio’s design. The project balances form and function, integrating natural, social, and economic elements into a vibrant, sustainable district. Its success will depend on how well it adapts to future needs, but its thoughtful design gives it every chance to thrive as a cherished part of Tokyo.
Azabudai Hills demonstrates how architecture can transform a space into a community while honoring the past and embracing the future through Heatherwick Studio’s design. The project balances form and function, integrating natural, social, and economic elements into a vibrant, sustainable district. Its success will depend on how well it adapts to future needs, but its thoughtful design gives it every chance to thrive as a cherished part of Tokyo.
