Toyo Ito & Associates
Za-Koenji Public Theatre
Suginami-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Za-Koenji, located within a residential district, is a public theatre replacing the old Koenji Hall.
Photo: Iwan Baan
Because of the surrounding context and the acoustic requirements within the building, Toyo Ito designed a “closed” space, with both its walls and roof being constructed of steel plate reinforced concrete, providing sufficient stability, yet remaining extremely thin.
Photo: Iwan Baan
Photo: Iwan Baan
The roof form was carved out of a cube by 5 elliptic cones and 2 cylinders, resulting in a dynamic shape that expresses movement and lightness. The central axes, angles and coordinate positions of the elliptic cones and cylinders, were defined according to the height restrictions of the site and the height requirements of the internal programs.
Photo: Iwan Baan
Photo: Iwan Baan
With the halls stacked on top of each other a floating structural system was adopted with every floor slab, and walls and ceilings insulated from the main structural frame.
Because of the strict height restrictions only the small main theater Za-Koenji 1, the cafeteria, and the offices are located above ground level. The rest of the programs are placed at basement levels.
Photo: Iwan Baan
Photo: Iwan Baan
Photo: Iwan Baan
Za-Koenji 1, the Main Auditorium, is a flexible space, that allows for a range of different stage and seating configurations. The lobby is entered directly from the square in front of the building.
Photo: Iwan Baan
Za-Koenji 2, Civic Hall, is located on basement level 2. It is a conventional theater space with fixed raked seating, suitable for drama performances, dance, concerts, conferences or lectures.
Photo: Iwan Baan
The Awa Odori Hall, also on basement level 2, was designed for practices of one of the Japanese Bon Festival Dances performed during the Awa Odori Festival. This hall made use of its maximum volume in order to also meet the requirements for musical concerts and performances.
Photo: Iwan Baan
The Cafe Henri Fabre can also be used as a venue for drama readings, lectures and children’s activities.
Photo: Iwan Baan
Photo: Iwan Baan
Large props and costume production studios, rehearsal rooms, film and music editing rooms are on basement level 3.
Drawing courtesy Toyo Ito & Associates
Site Plan
Drawing courtesy Toyo Ito & Associates
First Floor Plan
Drawing courtesy Toyo Ito & Associates
Second Floor Plan
Drawing courtesy Toyo Ito & Associates
Basement Level 2 Plan
Drawing courtesy Toyo Ito & Associates
Section
Site area : 1,649 square meters
Building area: 1,108 square meters
Total floor area: 4,978 square meters
Completed: 2009
Client: Suginami-ku
Architects: Toyo Ito & Associates
Design team:
Toyo Ito
Takeo Higashi
Takuji Aoshima
Hiroyuki Shinozaki(OB)
Takayasu Hirayama
Michiko Okano
Kentaro Maeda(OB)
Miya Ito
Rie Kigami
Leo Yokota(OB)
Ken-ichi Shinozaki(OB)
Structural engineer: Sasaki Structural Consultants
Mechanical engineer: Kankyo Engineering
Acoustical design: Nagata Acoustics
Lighting design: Lightdesign
Contractor: Taisei Corporation
Photographed by Iwan Baan
Toyo Ito & Associates arcspace features
November 8, 2010
