THE PLATE IS REALIZED THROUGH THE SEVEN STEEL RIBBED FLOOR SLABS, ALL OF WHICH FUNCTION IN AN OPEN PLAN MAXIMIZING FLEXIBILITY OF USE. OF NOTE IS THAT THE HIGHTS OF EACH FLOOR VAREY GREATLY AND EACH FLOOR’S INTERIOR WAS RELIGATED TO A DIFFERENT DESIGNER. THE TUBE IS REPRESENTED BY 13 TREE LIKE TUBULAR COLUMNS WHICH INTEGRATE THE PLATES BY PEIRCING THROUGH THEM AND CONNECTING THEM VERTICALLY. THESE “LINES OF VERTICAL MOTION” SERVE AS AREAS THAT ALLOW INFORMATION AND ENERGIES SUCH AS LIGHT, AIR, WATER AND SOUND TO FLOW FREELY THROUGHOUT THE BUILDING. FUNCTIONALLY THESE COLUMNS HOUSE STAIRS, ELEVATORS, MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT AND NATURAL LIGTH SHAFTS. THE SKIN IS THE OUTER FACADE LAYER WHICH SERVES TO SEPARATE THE INDOOR AND OUTDOOR. THE MOST PROMINENT “SKIN” IS THE DOUBLE GLAZED GLASS FACADE FACING THE MAIN STREET. THE SKIN ACTS AS A MECHANICAL SYSTEM WHICH IS LEFT OPEN IN THE SUMMER TO ALLOW IT TO “BREATH,” WHILE DURING THE WINTER IT IS CLOSED OFF AND ACTS AS AN INSULATING AIR SPACE.
Structure SENDAI MEDIATHEQUE
TOYO ITO
Sendai, Miyagi, Japan | 2001 Jackie Brown and Blair Gazza
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