The Architecture of Tokyo - Winning Craftsmanship
The architecture of Tokyo is not as dramatic and eye-catching as their electronic revolution. If you expect Tokyo to be an exotic metropolis, then your anticipation would take an U turn once landing at Tokyo.
There are mainly two reasons behind this architectural jaggedness. The majority of the buildings are quite recently built. War, earthquakes, and Japanese desire for frequent renovation are the factors hindering the architectural age of Tokyo. The history of Tokyo is as old as many European metropolises, but the architectural age of Tokyo is not at all rich unlike European cities. Secondly Tokyo has low skylines, compared to its size and class. This is due to the high seismic zone. Japan is the most unfortunate to be shaken regularly by earthquakes, as the tectonic plates assemble in Japan. For safety measures, City Hall is the tallest building measuring 248m. With more technological advancement, a new office tower measuring 338m high was planned at west Shinjuku.
It should also be pointed out that Tokyo hosts some unique architectural structures. The Tokyo International Forum, a huge 225m-glass hall in length resembling a skeleton of a whale, is a marvelous creation. In Odaiba, the immense spherical observation arena of the Fuji Television head office definitely cannot be missed out. The City Hall of Tokyo depicting the Notre Dame church is a unique architectural structure. The microchip design allover presents Tokyo’s innovative character. Other vintage points like Carrot Tower, Sumitomo building, Garden Palace Tower, Marunouchi building, St Luke’s Tower, Tokyo Tower, World Trade Center building, and Sunshine 60 building are just exclusive of its kind, adding some life to Tokyo’s architecture. Many buildings serve as observatories to the public, where a paramount view of the city can be experienced. The Tokyo City Hall is the best of all offering a 360-degree vision of the city.
Many mutant structures were subject to wide photography and documentary study. A survey named Made-in-Tokyo was conducted with the city’s odd and unnamed buildings. The surveyed buildings were distinguished by an obstinate integrity when compared to its surroundings. They were then called “da-me architecture” i.e., “no good architecture.” The expression proposed to replicate an identical mix of disdain and liking. Majority is unnamed and architecturally ordinary.
Most buildings made in Tokyo are not good-looking. They do not smell of rich architectural craftsmanship and uniqueness of design as in most of the old cities of the world. They don’t follow suite to the culture and history. They are largely reasonably priced with competent solutions by minimum effort. They are not shinning with glossy culture, but simple buildings. Utilization happens whenever they get any opportunity. Walls, rooftops, gaps amid lots are simply utilized. Mostly spaces are utilized for two varied functions, resulting hybrids. Like a departmental store beneath an expressway is a hybrid. The store is dependent on the expressway’s structure.
Though the urban legroom of Tokyo seems to be muddled up, it carries an aspect of liberty for the constructing of buildings. The throb of Tokyo is driven by da-me.
