A stunning architecture of Tama Art University Library in Hachioji, Tokyo suburb have been designed by Toyo Ito Associates Architects. The overall building architecture comprised of arch shape which gives the library a sense of modernity.
Passing through the main entrance gate, the site lies behind a front garden with small and large trees, and stretches up a gentle slope. There is a cafeteria which acts as a socializing place for both students and staff members accross all disciplines, that serves an open commonality for all.
The characteristic arches are made out of steel plates covered with concrete. In plan these arches are arranged along curved lines which cross at several points. With these intersections, we were able to keep the arches extremely slender at the bottom and still support the heavy live loads of the floor above. The spans of the arches vary from 1.8 to 16 metres, but the width is kept uniformly at 200mm.
The intersections of the rows of arches help to articulate softly separated zones within this one space. Shelves and study desks of various shapes, glass partitions that function as bulletin boards, etc., give these zones a sense of both individual character and visual as well as spatial continuity.
Design and Supervision
Design team: Toyo Ito, Takeo Higashi, Hideyuki Nakayama, Yoshitaka Ihara
Associate Architect: Kajima Design
Structural engineers: Sasaki Structural Consultants
Associate Architect: Kajima Design
Mechanical engineer: Associate Architect: Kajima Design
Interaction design: Workshop for Architecture and Urbanism
Furniture design: Fujie Kazuko Atelier
Curtain design and fabricator: Nuno Corporation
Supervisor: Toyo Ito & Associates, Architects
Design team: Toyo Ito, Takeo Higashi, Hideyuki Nakayama, Yoshitaka Ihara
Contractors
Architecture: Kajima Corporation
Mechanical: Kajima Corporation
Shop drawing: Evergreen
Air-Conditioning, Plumbing & Mechanical Services: Techno Ryowa, Tonets Corporation, Sanken Setsubi Kogyo
Electrical Installation: Kyokujitsu Electric, Kandenko, Toko Electric
Photography by Iwan Baan
