Group X

Advanced building design studio, spring 2021 - from gen danso to gen tsukushi: Japanese generations in Toyosu, Tokyo

Explore the design of Toyosu Library in Tokyo, created in Aalto University’s Advanced Building Design Studio in Spring 2021. The project investigates how public architecture connects communities and reflects the values of different Japanese generations.
A modern building with a circular opening in the roof, revealing trees and people walking on a cobblestone floor.
A timeline showing various generations from 1946 to 2015, including Baby Boomers, Millennials, and Generation Z.
Background Japanese Generation timeline.

Introduction

ARK-E2014  Advanced Building Design Studio

In spring 2021, Group X organized a building design studio course (Advanced Building Design Studio) at Aalto University Department of Architecture, in collaboration with the Architecture Department of Shibaura Institute of Technology (SIT), Tokyo, Japan, and its professors Kiwa Matsushita and Satoru Yamashiro.

The studio studied the emergent development of Toyosu area based on its public building(s) as anchors, effecting the planning and design of the rest of the area. The entities, including the new library, interconnect and create interactions.

A pie chart showing population distribution in Toyosu area in 2045 by age groups and percentages.
Background Japanese Generation 2045 doughnut chart.

Course objective:

The assignment was to design a new community library for the Toyosu area of Tokyo; The focus was on the development of library architecture based on the understanding of Japanese generations as the picture below – the values and styles of distinct generations of people.

Course information:

  • Term III-IV; 12.01.2021-06.04.2021
  • Remote teaching on Tuesdays from 13:00 to 17:00
  • A design course for max.16 students
Pie chart of Toyosu area population in 2015, showing age groups from 0-85 years with percentages.
Background Japanese Generation 2015 doughnut chart.

Responsible teachers:

Selected student works

Modern wooden buildings with sloped roofs, people walking and children playing outside on a cloudy day.

Niina Rissanen

Modern open-air pavilion with central trees, people walking around, and a circular roof with skylights.

Siiri Könönen

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