Collezione

6-1-3 Minami-Aoyama

Minato-ku

Tokyo

 

Tadao Ando 1989

 

Collezione is a collection of independent boutiques, galleries, an exercise club and a residence, held together in a concrete mesh of simple, interconnected shapes: two rectangular boxes at a slight angle to each other, with an interlocking cylinder and a cube.

 

 

 

The complex spaces created by the interconnection of the simple shapes creates a maze of circulation routes, intended to be dramatic and challenging. The effect is partially successful, but the concrete has not aged well, and the some of the circulation spaces are a little mean and dark, and so not as uplifting as they perhaps should be. Occasionally, though, the drama comes through.

 

 

Simon Glynn 2008

 

 

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How to visit

 

Collezione is a few minutes' walk southeast of Omotesando Crossing (and subway station), on the road above the Chiyoda Line. (On the way you will pass Herzog and de Meuron's Prada Store.)

 

Common areas are always accessible, as well as the boutiques during store opening hours.

 

On the same street the other side of Omotesando Crossing you may like to visit Ito's Tod's Building, SANAA's Dior and Ando's Omotesando Hills.

 

 

 

 

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Books and other web sites

 

For more information on contemporary buildings by major a rchitects to visit in Japan, a helpful list (including schematic map of buildigns in the Omotesando area) is provided by the Japan National Tourist Organization.

 

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