...The way of creating architecture alone can completely change an educational system. The members of the planning committee are well aware of this fact. The relationship between an environment and the activities that take place within it is extremely sensitive...This is a very flexible space in which people who want to be alone can secure places for themselves and yet, when they want to participate in group activities they can just turn around and join in. That flexible space is arranged in tiered platforms to suit the slope of the site. It is arranged so that the instructors’ research laboratories are located right nearby. The flexible space, called the ‘studio’, is based on the image of a design studio...It was also our idea to consciously incorporate a [systematic construction method] into the design process right from the beginning. That is the main reason we wanted to employ precast concrete [in the structure]... (Riken Yamamoto, “Shinkenchiku”, Sept. 2000)
		Future University of Hakodate (1997-2000) location: Hakodate, Hokkaido Prefecture principal use: university site area: 166,403.77m2 building area: 13,287.03m2 total floor area: 26,839.55m2 structure: precast prestressed concrete, partly reinforced concrete and steel frame; 5 stories maximum height: 21,590mm architects: Riken Yamamoto & Field Shop structural engineers: Kimura Structural Engineers mechanical engineers: Sogo Consultants landscape design: Asia Consulting Engineers landscape design collaborators: SANAA acoustic designers: Nagata Acoustics furniture and sign producers: A Works furniture designers: Yasuo Kondo Design Office sign designers: Hiromura Design Office textile designers: Taguchi Design Office general contractors: JV of Taisei, Chibakensetsu, Katogumi, Itogumi, Sawada, Tabatakensetsu, and Sankokogyo JV of Shimizu, Hirabayashi, Tokukensetsu, Ishiigumi, Wakokensetsu, and Tonumakensetsu completion date: January, 2000 next back top