Fukoku Tower in Osaka, Japan by Dominique Perrault Architecture

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Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination.

Fukoku Tower in Osaka, Japan by Dominique Perrault Architecture

November 27th, 2011 by Sumit Singhal

Article source: DPA

This tower project for the Fukoku insurance company takes inspiration from the profile of a gigantic tree whose roots proliferate on the surface of the ground. Splayed at its base, the tower’s outline tapers elegantly as it rises, gracing the city’s skyline with a vertical asymptote. The contrast between the structure’s base and upper regions is accentuated by the treatment of the building’s “bark”. Broad “wood chips” on the lower levels gradually give way to a sleek wall.

Image Courtesy Daici Ano

Architects: Dominique Perrault Architecture
Project: Fukoku Tower
Location: Osaka, Japan
Client: Fukoku Mutual Life Insurance Company
Associated architect: Shimizu Corporation Architects & Engineers
Engineering: Shimizu Corporation Architects & Engineers
Development director: Mitsubishi Estate Group

Image Courtesy Daici Ano

Site area: 3 900 m²
Built area: 68 500 m² (including car park)
Maximum height 133 m – 32 floors: 28 floors on surface, 4 basement levels
Beginning of conceptual design: 2007
Beginning of construction June: 2008
Completion: October 2010
Photography: Shimizy, DPA, Dominique Perrault

Image Courtesy Daici Ano

Program

Office space : 30 000 m²
Car park : 4 080 m²
University laboratories : 3 400 m²
Commercial area: 4 930 m²
Office lobby: 950 m²

Image Courtesy Daici Ano

The glass facade is worked into a crescendo of encrusted mirrors at the base, reflecting the colors of the sky and the surrounding environment. Situated at the exit of Osaka’s main train station, the building will become a lasting landmark in the urban landscape.

Image Courtesy Daici Ano

Image Courtesy DPA

Image Courtesy Shimizy

: Image Courtesy Daici Ano

: Image Courtesy Daici Ano

: Image Courtesy Daici Ano

: Image Courtesy Daici Ano

: Image Courtesy Daici Ano

: Image Courtesy Daici Ano

: Image Courtesy Daici Ano

: Image Courtesy Daici Ano

: Image Courtesy Daici Ano

: Image Courtesy Daici Ano

: Image Courtesy Daici Ano

: Image Courtesy Daici Ano

: Image Courtesy Daici Ano

: Image Courtesy DPA

: Image Courtesy DPA

: Image Courtesy DPA

: Image Courtesy Shimizy

: Sketch (Image Courtesy Dominique Perrault)

: Section (Image Courtesy DPA)

: Ground Floor Plan (Image Courtesy DPA)

: Rendering (Image Courtesy DPA)

: Rendering (Image Courtesy DPA)

: Rendering (Image Courtesy DPA)

Contact Dominique Perrault Architecture

Tags: Japan, Osaka

Categories: Tower, Urban Design

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