‘OG Living’ is designed as the gathering place of Otemon Gakuin University, where activities can be seen from anywhere in the building. Courtesy Naoomi Kurozumi
Mitsubishi Jisho Sekkei has designed a university campus for 3,600 students at Otemon Gakuin University in Ibaraki, Japan, featuring an inverted triangular shape that draws on the mystery and attraction of ancient Japanese temples to attract both students and nearby residents.
The five-story, 40,000-square-meter ‘Academic-Ark’ is located on an old Toshiba factory site, which has been transformed into a park-like landscape with a cherry tree-lined avenue. A cast stainless steel eco-screen facade replicates the cherry blossom motif, while three steeply angled, cantilevered ‘gates’ create welcoming entrances.
“The building should make people wonder what’s inside and inspire them to come in to have a look around,” says the project architect Yasuhiro Sube.
A daytime view of the exterior. The structure’s inverted pyramidal volume is covered with stainless-steel eco-screen and is open public. Courtesy Shinkenchiku-sha
The small site footprint minimized the need for foundation works and reduced the area that had to be excavated prior to construction—there is a mandatory requirement to search for historical artifacts—which allowed for exceptionally rapid construction. The eco-screen acts as a sunshade, reportedly reducing the air-conditioning load by around 60 percent, and the rooftop garden terrace’s large eaves mitigate outdoor heat entering the building.
Inside, classrooms, studios and a one-kilometer ‘book trail’ encircle a monumental central void with a floating silver structure that houses the main library. Smaller, more intimate spaces and cafés throughout encourage students and residents to sit and read or relax. In the way of integrating with the surrounding city, the building is also a designated temporary evacuation site and houses the local tourist board. At night its illuminated facade transforms the whole structure into an enormous lantern.
“I hoped to achieve a campus that would draw students out from their homes and spark unexpected encounters between people and architecture,” Sube explains. “Since anyone can freely enter the areas, and library books are available to the public, the whole community is starting to discover new opportunities for learning.”
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Evening View. By lighting up in the evening, the architecture itself has become the lantern that illuminates large academic campus.
Courtesy YAMAGIWA
Evening View. By lighting up in the evening, the architecture itself has become the lantern that illuminates large academic campus.
Courtesy YAMAGIWA
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Daytime View. Inverted triangular pyramid covered with stainless-steel eco-screen is open public.
Courtesy Shinkenchiku-sha
Daytime View. Inverted triangular pyramid covered with stainless-steel eco-screen is open public.
Courtesy Shinkenchiku-sha
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The corner of triangular plane overhanging approximately 40m to create the symbolic entrance.
Courtesy Hisao Suzuki
The corner of triangular plane overhanging approximately 40m to create the symbolic entrance.
Courtesy Hisao Suzuki
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Perimeter Terrace on 4th Floor. The world's first casted stainless-steel eco-screen cover from 2nd to 5th floor.
Courtesy Naoomi Kurozumi
Perimeter Terrace on 4th Floor. The world's first casted stainless-steel eco-screen cover from 2nd to 5th floor.
Courtesy Naoomi Kurozumi
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5th Floor Courtyard. The courtyard is surrounded by glassed “STUDIO”.
Courtesy Shinkenchiku-sha
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The mass of silver block is floating in the center of the library. The bookcases are designed around the perimeter of the library to attract visitors.
Courtesy Naoomi Kurozumi
The mass of silver block is floating in the center of the library. The bookcases are designed around the perimeter of the library to attract visitors.
Courtesy Naoomi Kurozumi
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'OG Living' is designed as the gathering place where activities can be seen from anywhere in the building.
Courtesy Naoomi Kurozumi
'OG Living' is designed as the gathering place where activities can be seen from anywhere in the building.
Courtesy Naoomi Kurozumi
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The scene of entrance ceremony at “OG Living”. It is designed as the large multi-purpose area.
Courtesy Naoomi Kurozumi
The scene of entrance ceremony at “OG Living”. It is designed as the large multi-purpose area.
Courtesy Naoomi Kurozumi
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Library interior. The staircase can also be used as the stages for presentations similar to TED.
Courtesy Naoomi Kurozumi
Library interior. The staircase can also be used as the stages for presentations similar to TED.
Courtesy Naoomi Kurozumi
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The Skylight of the Professors Lounge in the Library. By the natural light transmitted from 5th floor courtyard, people in the lounge can feel the sense of time.
Courtesy Shinkenchiku-sha
The Skylight of the Professors Lounge in the Library. By the natural light transmitted from 5th floor courtyard, people in the lounge can feel the sense of time.
Courtesy Shinkenchiku-sha
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“STUDIO” at the Triangle Vertex. Stainless steel eco-screen can be seen outside
Courtesy Naoomi Kurozumi
“STUDIO” at the Triangle Vertex. Stainless steel eco-screen can be seen outside
Courtesy Naoomi Kurozumi
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5th Floor Roof Terrace. 4-meter cantilevered PCa concrete eaves provide protection from the rain. The classes can be held outside in rainy days while feeling the outside air.
Courtesy Naoomi Kurozumi
5th Floor Roof Terrace. 4-meter cantilevered PCa concrete eaves provide protection from the rain. The classes can be held outside in rainy days while feeling the outside air.
Courtesy Naoomi Kurozumi
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Approximately 20 x 10m large “STUDIO” can be used for the active learning
Courtesy Shinkenchiku-sha
Approximately 20 x 10m large “STUDIO” can be used for the active learning
Courtesy Shinkenchiku-sha
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The View of “CAFETERIA”. The tip of the right triangle plane creates a bustling atmosphere toward the city center.
Courtesy Shinkenchiku-sha
The View of “CAFETERIA”. The tip of the right triangle plane creates a bustling atmosphere toward the city center.
Courtesy Shinkenchiku-sha
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“CAFETERIA” can hold 600 people. Neighbors and children can also use the facility. A convenience store is located at the end.
Courtesy Naoomi Kurozumi
“CAFETERIA” can hold 600 people. Neighbors and children can also use the facility. A convenience store is located at the end.
Courtesy Naoomi Kurozumi
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Bird's-eye view of “CAFETERIA” from the middle and high school campus building.
Courtesy Naoomi Kurozumi
Bird's-eye view of “CAFETERIA” from the middle and high school campus building.
Courtesy Naoomi Kurozumi
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Panoramic and a bird's eye view of the triangular “ACADEMIC-ARK” and the right triangle “CAFETERIA” on the campus. There are no fences around the campus and local people can freely enter.
Courtesy Shinkenchiku-sha
Panoramic and a bird's eye view of the triangular “ACADEMIC-ARK” and the right triangle “CAFETERIA” on the campus. There are no fences around the campus and local people can freely enter.
Courtesy Shinkenchiku-sha
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