Tokyo International Forum

Add To Collection

Tokyo International Forum

Type

Cultural › Cultural Center

YEAR

1996

SIZE

1,000,000 +

The Tokyo International Forum, commissioned by the Tokyo
Metropolitan Government, is a unique civic complex that accommodates cultural
performances and business events.
Located at the nexus of four subway lines and two major train stations,
the site generates significant pedestrian traffic. The intent of the design was to provide full access for
the public and protection from the impacts of the surroundings. A granite perimeter wall encloses a
landscaped plaza that extends under four performing arts spaces suspended
above. The theater lobbies
overlook the plaza which serves as civic space and visually filters into the
Glass Hall, a large glass enclosure with a dramatic 750-foot-long truss that
hovers above. At night, light reflects off the surface of the ribs and
transforms the structure into a monolithic floating light source, illuminating
the Glass Hall and profiling it in the skyline. Under the plaza, a public concourse, which connects to the
rail networks, wraps around an exhibition hall and becomes the main floor of
the Glass Hall. Bridges and
pedestrian ramps connect conference rooms to the theaters and provide total
flexibility. The 35 x 16-foot Yurakucho Canopy, the world’s largest
free-standing glass structure, shelters a staircase leading to an underground
rail station and forms a key entrance to the complex. The Glass Hall, one of the most daring structures ever built
in Japan, consists of two intersecting glass and steel ellipses, which enclose
a vast central lobby and unite the elements of the complex. This structure is composed of seven
stories above ground and three below.
The 197-foot-high laminated glass curtain wall was designed to be
transparent, visually connecting the theaters and plaza to the conference center.

Product Spec Sheet

Were your products used?

Join as a manufacturer to add your products.

Collaborating Firms

Rafael Vinoly Architects

Architecture

VDA (Van Deusen & Associates)

Vertical Transportation Systems Consultant

Was your firm involved? Add it now.

Team

Were you involved? Add yourself.

Keep Exploring Architizer by Creating a Free Account or Logging in.

Tokyo International Forum

Tokyo International Forum

Product Spec Sheet

Collaborating Firms

Team