Strips : By EASTERN Design Office + HOJO Structure Research Institue

Shiga, Japan
EASTERN Design Office + HOJO Structure Research Institue
Post By:Kitticoon Poopong

Photo © Courtesy of Koichi Torimura

Japanese studio EASTERN design office has designed the sculptural facade – Strips in Shiga Japan.

"The form of this construction is the dancing light and the shadow.
They dance slowly over one day.
They dance slowly like a Noh performance.
This has a sculpturesque solidity in its expression."

EASTERN design office

Photo © Courtesy of Koichi Torimura

Project description by EASTERN design officeStrips
“Dancing: Light and Shadow”
The form of this construction is the dancing light and the shadow.
They dance slowly over one day.
They dance slowly like a Noh performance.
This has a sculpturesque solidity in its expression.
Random curves sculptured into the façade serve as a random structure. 41.13m on the long side, 13.13m on the short side, and 7m in height, providing 12 entrances for people and 30 openings for light.
The site for this project is on the east side of Lake Biwa, the biggest lake in Japan and this is the first medical building for rent in this area.

Photo © Courtesy of Koichi Torimura

Photo © Courtesy of Koichi Torimura

Waterways run through the town. This paddy field area was once a cross road of lively culture. Kyoto lies to its west, Kumano and Ise are to its south. Sacred Mt. Ibuki is in its north. Those who went to the east passed along this land from the ancient Yayoi time.

Photo © Courtesy of Koichi Torimura

Photo © Courtesy of Koichi Torimura

An extraordinary and dramatic effect obtained from appreciating noh performances is similar to richness obtained through simplicity. It can be a merit to give the place a tension through simplicity. This notion leads to the conceptual idea of this building: a corridor of lights and shadows dancing slowly over a day. It is our intention to build a certain special and rich form on this land that has blessing inherited from ancient times.

Photo © Courtesy of Koichi Torimura

Farmers pass through a small paddy field footpath. Children dance around the hedge. Taking a nap under the shade of trees. Seasonal religious services by rich farmers. Performing shishimai (Lion dance). Greetings of people serving rice cakes and their smile and smiling faces. Performing of kagura (Shinto music and dance) by traveling entertainers. Dances performed by such people are the origin of this form. Forgetting daily labor and suffering, makes people to leave their worries behind and take a break, laugh and calm down. This opens up the ray of light which surpasses the day-to day world.

Photo © Courtesy of Koichi Torimura

The shafts of light woven by the stripes of the wall have an effect to change the nature of an ordinary crossing path. Form has an effect to vibrate lights. Inside “The Strip” that dances slowly all through a day, children whirl around.

Photo © Courtesy of Koichi Torimura

Next to the site is a kindergarten. Mothers and children pass. This is a path to an elementary and a junior high school. There is a park across this building. Children play around here moving in and out of the opening. Children and people going to the hospital are crossing. Refreshment of mind and warmth are present here which cannot commonly be seen in hospitals.

concept sketch 01--drawing Courtesy of EASTERN Design Office + HOJO Structure Research Institue

concept sketch 02--drawing Courtesy of EASTERN Design Office + HOJO Structure Research Institue

concept sketch 03--drawing Courtesy of EASTERN Design Office + HOJO Structure Research Institue

concept sketch 04--drawing Courtesy of EASTERN Design Office + HOJO Structure Research Institue

concept sketch 05--drawing Courtesy of EASTERN Design Office + HOJO Structure Research Institue

The people

Architects: EASTERN Design Office + HOJO Structure Research Institute
Location: Shiga, Japan
Constructor: Okudakomuten Co., Ltd
Completion: 2007
Client: TOYO-KAIHATSU Co., ltd
Site area: 1,658.30m2
Total floor area: 1,012.26m2
Photographs: Koichi Torimura

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