The Nippon Foundation Paralympic Support Center in Tokyo, Japan

ArchShowcase

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.

The Nippon Foundation Paralympic Support Center in Tokyo, Japan by TORAFU ARCHITECTS

January 13th, 2016 by Sumit Singhal

Article source: TORAFU ARCHITECTS

We designed the new offices for The Nippon Foundation Paralympic Support Center ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. The offices are located in Akasaka, Tokyo inside The Nippon Foundation Building, designed by Junzo YOSHIMURA, and will provide support for approximately 25 para-sports leagues. As such, we were tasked with providing a space which will promote sports and the extraordinary abilities of Japanese Paralympic athletes.

Image Courtesy © Daici Ano

Architects: TORAFU ARCHITECTS
Project: The Nippon Foundation Paralympic Support Center
Location: Akasaka,Tokyo, Japan
Photography: Daici Ano
Credit: Creative direction, Sign, Graphic, Movie: 1→10holdings/ Lightings: DAIKO/
Production: ISHIMARU, Panasonic, LIXIL
Total floor area: 1217.63m2
Design period: 2015.7-9

Image Courtesy © Daici Ano

The entrance features a gradational floor pattern resembling a stadium where is echoed the feeling of elation that accompanies a sports festival. From the entrance can be seen a 360° screen display that acts like a simple yet strong anchor from which stems two diagonal rows of office space. Staff can sit down at a concentric counter surrounding the omnidirectional display to catch a break before returning behind the gate-like structures, which act like an information desk for each para-sport league and provides a gradual demarcation between the work space and open space areas. Behind the gates can be found uniform working spaces which foster a feeling of unity between the various leagues that had been operating up to now in isolation. The Center’s graphic signature features prominently behind a low-rise stage resembling an Olympic podium that serves as platform from which to deliver speeches during events and offers a perfect spot for athletes in wheelchairs to partake in a photo session.

Image Courtesy © Daici Ano

Flanked by two diagonal rows of office space, the 360° screen display acts as a powerful center of attraction which draws in workers and visitors alike. We endeavored to create a space in which a variety of persons, such as para-sport league representatives, athletes and visitors, will gather for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

Image Courtesy © Daici Ano

Contact TORAFU ARCHITECTS

Tags: Japan, Tokyo

Category: Offices

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 13th, 2016 at 5:33 am. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.