Resembling a stack of smaller structures with asymmetrical roofs--extending the liveliness of the neighborhood vertically-- the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center is located near the outer gate to ancient Buddhist temple Sensō-ji, which was constructed in the sixth century and is the oldest of its kind in the city. The center needed to accommodate multiple purposes : a tourist information center, a conference room, a multi-purpose hall and an exhibition space. The center extends Asakusa’s lively neighborhood vertically and piles up roofs that wrap different activities underneath, creating a “new section” which had not existed in conventional layered architecture. Equipments are stored in the diagonally shaped spaces born between the roof and the floor, and by this treatment we could secure large air volume despite its just average height for high-and medium-rise buildings. Furthermore, the roofs not only divide the structure into 7 one-storied houses but also determine the role of each floor. First and second floor has an atrium and in-door stairs, creating a sequence from which you can feel the slope of the two roofs. On 6th floor, taking advantage of the slanted roof, we were able to set up a terraced floor with which the entire room can function as a theater. Photo 2 of 13 in Architect Spotlight: 12 Works by Japanese Architect Kengo Kuma

Architect Spotlight: 12 Works by Japanese Architect Kengo Kuma

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Resembling a stack of smaller structures with asymmetrical roofs, the verticality of the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center reflects the liveliness of the vibrant neighborhood that surrounds it.