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 Oto Services |  Harajuku_Tokyo_Japan |
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 AccessibilityThe large population density of Tokyo combined with the amount of traffic, creates an environment which is perfect for walking and bicycling. The fact that the site is relatively close to the train station and also next to a busy commercial pathway, and also a famous touristic site in the Togo Shrine, makes it a focal point for the public. |  TransportationThere is a constant flow of pedestrians walking nearby the site, and the building was designed to facilitate the traffic of the public through it and encourage people transiting to it by foot or by using the public transport system instead of driving. |
 Thermal MassSolar energy is one of the things which are used in buildings as an afterthought to maximize the amount of energy output, but that is not inherent during the initial building design. However Oto, used the pattern of imitating trees from conceptual stages and the way they use sun light to create energy as a leaping point, therefore the roof angles are made to maximize exposure to the sun while also imitating traditional Japanese architecture, while aesthetically still looking homogenous. |  Pattern SystemOn the South wall, a patterned system was introduced in order to make the best if the day light but also creating a sort of shade. Japan on summer can be more than 30˚C therefore cooling the building was considered an important part of the design. By having this system we have the option of cooling the building during the night by simply continuing the ventilation method at night in order to release the heat stored during the day. |
 MaterialsThe structure of the building is made of essentially two materials, concrete and timber. Concrete was chosen for its ability as thermal mass material, and for its ability and the reflection of sound. Timber on the other hand was used in order to minimize the amount of concrete in the building to the lowest possible since concrete is a material that even though flexible, affordable and has the capacity to endure a lot of compression also during production process emits a lot of carbon. |  VentilationThe fact that the site is located next to a park was used to the building’s advantage. The trees and vegetation protects the buildings from heat radiation, which is a common problem in Tokyo, with people suffering during summer time of heat waves. Due to this lack of vegetation, the city ends up creating what is called a ‘heat island’ effect, which means that the heat accumulated during the day is radiated at night. |
 LightThe pattern of the building is not only for aesthetics but also it works as an egg-crate louvre system, and is effective as a shading device from both high and low sun angles. It reduces the view considerably but the fact that across the street there is not any interesting views, it works in directing people to look towards the building itself and the park behind it. It also reduces the air movement since the building is naturally ventilated. |  Photovoltaic PanelsThe roof has Photo Voltaic panels on it which are made to collect sun light and convert it to energy. Japan is exposed to as much as 14 hours of sun light during summer which is a lot of time compared to other cities. This sun light would not go waste, by being collected and being used by the building. The angle of the roof is tilted in order to maximize that effect. |
 Thermal LabyrinthThe layout of labyrinth balances optimum thermal storage with the air resistance of the system. This improves the heat transfer by creating air turbulence through increasing the roughness and incorporating bends. Air is introduced to gallery through floor displacement terminals at low velocity, heat gains are displaced upwards. |  Patterns |
Oto Musical Hall
3rd Year_Bachelor
Group Work
Harajuku, Tokyo, Japan
RHINO
In the busy roads of Harajuku, Tokyo we see the two sides of Japan, on one side the Togo Shrine stands to show the proud and rich culture of the country, while in the busy commercial streets and the distinct fashion of the Harajuku people stand to show the modern cultural status of a nation that is rapidly advancing through technology. Oto Musical Hall, works as a bridge uniting the traditional heritage of Japan with the new cultural landscape. Oto is Japanese for sound. Sound goes beyond simply music, but it is the main mode of communication between humans. The Togo Shrine symbolises the way that people communicate with the spiritual world, but this building is meant to be a way which people will communicate with each other through music, relationships and technology.
Japanese philosophy and architecture differs in a fundamental way from Western because it generally focuses on Nature. That happens since Japanese religions such as Shinto and Buddhism focuses on nature and finding god in the natural world or within yourself. Likewise Oto finds it inspiration on trees and the way they through photosynthesis collect light and use it as a source of energy, in the same way by using Photo-voltaic panels and also by introducing light through interesting patterns it infuses the building with energy metaphorically and literally.
Yugen (幽玄) is a Japanese word which means profundity or suggestion. It is a way to lack revelation. A Japanese garden, for example, can be said to be a collection of symbolic elements. The same way a building, and Oto suggests a new way of thinking; uniting the old to the new.
Datsuzoku (脱俗) means freedom from habit or formula. Escaping from daily routine or the ordinary. Music many times is considered something transcendental but due to the fact that it is so accessible nowadays people rarely have an experience which music can really be something out of conventional. This principle describes the feeling of surprise and a bit of amazement when one realizes they can have freedom from the usual way of experiencing something and in this case sound and communication.
Seijaku (静寂) is tranquillity or calm, stillness, solitude. We as a group thought it would be important to give this feeling in a busy place such as Tokyo. This is related to the feeling you may have when in a Japanese garden. The opposite feeling to one expressed by Seijaku would be noise and disturbance the direct opposite of what good music, good communication and good technology truly is.