Kengo Kuma | "Forest Within a Building" in Tokyo

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Release Date: 2024-03-05 Visited: 


AEAJ Green Terrace, an aromatherapy experience facility, stands amidst the vibrant chaos of Tokyo's Shibuya district like an oasis of calm. The building itself acts as a giant diffuser, a glass box concealing an intricate wooden structure, the porous nature of the wood delicately releasing the essential oils used throughout the facility. A gentle ventilation system further diffuses the aromas, creating a multi-sensory journey.


The three-storey building is composed of locally sourced cedar and cypress, with slender beams interwoven into an attractive latticework, through which the sunlight passes, casting patterned shadows across the interior, further blurring the boundaries between the building and its natural surroundings. This intricate framework not only evokes a sense of historical and cultural connection, but also serves as a powerful visual representation of the interconnectedness of nature and humanity.


The project recently won the "Wood City TOKYO Model Architecture Award" organised by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Critics emphasised that "the extensive use of wood in the building effectively dampens the vibration of the steel structure and stands out aesthetically, especially in the night view."


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Release Date: 2024-03-05 Visited: