TOKYO REPLAY CENTER
Site
Akihabara is set with in a dense urban context, coercing the built environment to grow vertically. North east of the site itself is Akihbara station, a major transportation hub in Tokyo. The site is bound by a pedestrian street on the north and vehicular street on the south. To the east is an unknown future development. The west side is bound by “Myway 2” a pedestrian street that connects the north and south street. Heavier pedestrian traffic is on the north due to the akhabara station and from the west; due to the myway2 pedestrian road.
Site Constriction
The F.A.R. Constriction for the site dictates a 10 story building with addition for the ground floor.
Proposed Program
The sum of the proposed program uses 8 out of the 11 floors that can potentially be used.
Reclaimable Public Space
The remaining 3 floors can be designated as public space and be integrated vertically in the trc’s design.
Vertical public space
The TRC form takes shape, as a direct result of public space reintegration.
The proposed program claims less than the total buildable area within the site. This allows for the remaining floor area to be reclaimed as public space. Due to the dense urban environment, this public space can only be reintegrated on to the site vertically. Therefore, the concept of designing the TRC was to maximize the proposed program and vertically integrate public spaces. The physical form is inspired by early 8-bit video games which had a pixelated language. The same language is used to establish an entry narrative off the northern pedestrian street, as well as carve out the mid section of the build on the third floor. Additionally, the roof of the TRC is a landscape created out of the same pixel boxes to establish an outdoor venue. The first three levels maintain shops and cafe to serve people waiting for their train at the Akihabara Station, while the rentable “urban living rooms” are located near the top of the building. The middle section maintains a theatre and exhibition/ multipurpose space that opens to the roof of MyWay2
Site: Tokyo, Japan (Akihabara)
Program: Cultural Media Center
Year: 2013
Status: Open Competition (Finalist)