Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office Building One in Tokyo

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2-8-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Japan

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Looking more like the home of a global corporate giant than the local city council, this office complex reflects the modern Asian architectural sensibility. In some ways its twin 48-story towers even mirror the famed Petronas Towers in Malaysia. The building's towering height is the result of Japan's late 20th century economic boom when land values soared and it seemed like the money would never stop flowing. Tokyo wanted to demonstrate a measure of autonomy, and building its own grand city hall away from the Japanese government offices was the first step. The new complex pays homage to its heritage and its people through its granite façade which is covered in a geometric pattern the architect says was inspired by traditional Japanese homes. Inspiration for the towers is said to come from the churches of Germany, and its great plaza is a distant cousin to the Campo in Siena. It is this plaza that separates the politicians from the workers. The towers house offices for the 13,000 workers in the city's various departments. The city council meets in a separate building on the other side of the public square enclosed with a portico.

Any building in Japan is subject to the whims of nature. From typhoons to earthquakes, they have to be ready for the worst. This building has a unique superstructure that disperses the energy inflicted on it by violent natural acts. Instead of swaying with a quake or wind, the building twists, allowing more energy to be absorbed and expended while at the same time minimizing actual linear movement.

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There are eight comments.

  Very stunning design ans structure , yeah we are talking about TOKYO !!

Mostafa Al Ghali - Saturday, November 10th, 2007 @ 1:05am  

  I first saw it under construction in 1989. Impressive to see the truck arriving with heavy steel elements day after day.In 2004 I saw it again. It has become a beautiful building. Nice feature, those 45 deg. turned tops!

Marc - Wednesday, May 23rd, 2007 @ 6:43am  

  very different design according to other skyscrapers.This is an outstanding building! It's one of the most beautiful and innovative buildings I have ever seen.

Salih Kösen - Sunday, April 1st, 2007 @ 8:00pm  

  very different design according to other skyscrapers.it's very beautiful.

emre kodal - Friday, November 10th, 2006 @ 4:22pm  

  This is an outstanding building! Its beautiful!

Niki - Monday, November 6th, 2006 @ 11:33pm  

  Just come back from Tokyo! Visited the building on a sunday when it was quite quiet, a stunning building. I do just love skyscrapers!

James - Saturday, May 6th, 2006 @ 8:25am  

  I first saw this building on the Japanese anime デジモンテイマーズ (Digimon Tamers). I was amazed that a building so unique like this exists.

Jesse - Friday, March 17th, 2006 @ 12:16am  

  One of the most beautiful and innovative buildings I have ever seen - WOW!

Raphael - Saturday, March 4th, 2006 @ 12:32pm