Oct. 31. 2024
Reviewed by David Vi Boi Huynh, BOI ARCHI DESIGN
Takashi Niwa Architects' design for the Becamex Tokyu Hikari Complex is ambitious in its vision to "give form" to an environmental future for Binh Duong New City. It employs the concept of "Made to Enlighten" as an interactive, eco-conscious experience where visitors are encouraged not only to enjoy the dining and entertainment options but also to engage in the idea of a green, sustainable lifestyle. In essence, the form they gave it transcends architecture; it establishes a landscape that educates, entertains, and fosters community.
1. Design Elements and Form as a Sustainable Vision
The Hikari Complex’s design breaks the boundary of traditional retail spaces by blending nature, sustainability, and public engagement. Here are a few ways Takashi Niwa Architects crafted this form with a focus on sustainable edutainment:
The Hikari Complex’s design breaks the boundary of traditional retail spaces by blending nature, sustainability, and public engagement. Here are a few ways Takashi Niwa Architects crafted this form with a focus on sustainable edutainment:
- Centralized, Interactive Landscape:
A central pond, green spaces, and an edible garden surround visitors, making sustainability a visible, interactive part of the experience. Instead of isolated plantings, the edible garden and aquaponics systems integrate the concepts of food production and self-sustaining ecology into the dining experience. Through sounds of water, an event stage, and shaded natural environments, the landscape isn’t just beautiful but functional; it creates a microclimate that reduces heat and enhances visitor comfort.
A central pond, green spaces, and an edible garden surround visitors, making sustainability a visible, interactive part of the experience. Instead of isolated plantings, the edible garden and aquaponics systems integrate the concepts of food production and self-sustaining ecology into the dining experience. Through sounds of water, an event stage, and shaded natural environments, the landscape isn’t just beautiful but functional; it creates a microclimate that reduces heat and enhances visitor comfort.
- Eco-cycle Pavilion:
This pavilion embodies eco-circulation, integrating recycled materials into all aspects of its structure and encouraging sustainable practices such as composting and waste recycling. It visually conveys the concept of a full-cycle sustainability model, where materials are not wasted but reused for a new purpose—tables from boat timber, handrails from recycled steel, and benches from plastic. The eco-cycle structure is centered around an interior garden, which brings in natural light and serves as a visual connection to the sustainable environment outside.
This pavilion embodies eco-circulation, integrating recycled materials into all aspects of its structure and encouraging sustainable practices such as composting and waste recycling. It visually conveys the concept of a full-cycle sustainability model, where materials are not wasted but reused for a new purpose—tables from boat timber, handrails from recycled steel, and benches from plastic. The eco-cycle structure is centered around an interior garden, which brings in natural light and serves as a visual connection to the sustainable environment outside.
- "Rubbish for Space" Design Philosophy:
The use of recycled materials within the structure itself — such as glass bottle floor patterns, recycled bricks, and plastic — makes sustainability tactile. Visitors physically interact with the space, sensing the durability and beauty of recycled materials, which reinforces the idea of sustainability beyond theory. The recycled materials also make sustainability tangible. For instance, a bench made from recycled plastic invites people to reflect on the potential of what they might consider “waste.”
The use of recycled materials within the structure itself — such as glass bottle floor patterns, recycled bricks, and plastic — makes sustainability tactile. Visitors physically interact with the space, sensing the durability and beauty of recycled materials, which reinforces the idea of sustainability beyond theory. The recycled materials also make sustainability tangible. For instance, a bench made from recycled plastic invites people to reflect on the potential of what they might consider “waste.”
3. A Community-focused Form for the Future
The Hikari Complex’s design is future-oriented because of its community focus. Rather than creating a private, exclusive area, it invites the public to interact with green technology, sustainable practices, and natural systems. This complex becomes a model of a green, smart city, emphasizing sustainable practices that could influence the region and beyond.
The Hikari Complex’s design is future-oriented because of its community focus. Rather than creating a private, exclusive area, it invites the public to interact with green technology, sustainable practices, and natural systems. This complex becomes a model of a green, smart city, emphasizing sustainable practices that could influence the region and beyond.
4. As a Formgiver’s Perspective
From a formgiver’s perspective, the design of the Hikari Complex serves as a well-executed example of how physical space can convey values and educate. The structure and surrounding environment embody sustainability at every level, engaging people visually and physically in eco-friendly practices.
- Integration of Nature and Function:
By making natural elements functional — such as the pond creating a microclimate, or the edible garden producing herbs and fruits for meals — it gives form to a harmonious relationship between human activity and the environment.
By making natural elements functional — such as the pond creating a microclimate, or the edible garden producing herbs and fruits for meals — it gives form to a harmonious relationship between human activity and the environment.
- Educational Engagement through Form:
The pavilion and green spaces are not just aesthetic but integral to educating the public about sustainability through real-world demonstrations. This form invites interaction with eco-cycles, showing that sustainable practices are accessible and impactful.
The pavilion and green spaces are not just aesthetic but integral to educating the public about sustainability through real-world demonstrations. This form invites interaction with eco-cycles, showing that sustainable practices are accessible and impactful.
- Resilience and Adaptability:
The architecture and design materials used in the Hikari Complex reflect durability and low impact, using recycled resources and repurposing them meaningfully. This approach isn’t just sustainable; it’s resilient, adaptable, and resource-efficient, qualities that align with a future-forward cityscape.
The architecture and design materials used in the Hikari Complex reflect durability and low impact, using recycled resources and repurposing them meaningfully. This approach isn’t just sustainable; it’s resilient, adaptable, and resource-efficient, qualities that align with a future-forward cityscape.
5. Conclusion:
Takashi Niwa Architects did give a good form to the future with the Hikari Complex. By merging ecological considerations with engaging public spaces, they created a form that represents a commitment to the future, particularly in the context of a developing, urbanizing area like Binh Duong. This design communicates that sustainability is not a mere feature but the very foundation of the community and that ecological responsibility can be a shared, enjoyable experience.
Takashi Niwa Architects did give a good form to the future with the Hikari Complex. By merging ecological considerations with engaging public spaces, they created a form that represents a commitment to the future, particularly in the context of a developing, urbanizing area like Binh Duong. This design communicates that sustainability is not a mere feature but the very foundation of the community and that ecological responsibility can be a shared, enjoyable experience.
