Takahashi Construction Company Office
| Location | Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan |
|---|---|
| Work Period | 1994~1995 |
| Size | 1ha |
| Client | Takahashi construction company |
| Scope of Works | Master plan, Schematic design, Detail design, Site supervision |
| Collaboration | Atelier Zo (Architectural Planning & Design) |
Company headquarter should represent the company philosophy
Discussions with the client revealed a desire that their building should not function only for profit making and work, but represent their ideals and spirit of the company. Construction companies of the previous century were pioneers developing Hokkaido to open up wild forests. However, we agree that construction companies of the 21st century should aim for the co-existence of human beings and nature. As a result, the building was covered with greenery and stands in harmony as one with its environment.
Workshop with company employees
The office space should reflect not only ideas of the company owner and designers but also ideas from the workers who spend long periods of time there. It is also distinctive that workshops and competitions within the company took place to reflect their ideas for the work environment.
Collaboration with Atelier ZO
Atelier ZO collaborated with us on architecture. Landscape and architecture together intensified its attractiveness.
Recovery of the nature
The planting plan was designed to grow three different types of forest in Tokachi area where the company is located. Most of the plants were collected from the surrounding mountains and hills to reproduce a natural environment.
Feng shui and the four gardens
Feng shui is the ancient Chinese study to capture forces of the land. The landscape is divided into four directions each with a protective god, Black Tortoise, Green Dragon, White Tiger, Red Phoenix. When all four directions have distinctive geographical features, it becomes a place full of power. The Tokachi area from a Feng shui point of view has a clear distinction; therefore we concentrated local structures into four gardens in each orientation.
