"DESIGN ALLOWING FREEDOM TO EXPRESS."
Location: Tokyo, Japan.
Project started in: 2013
Architect: Etienne Wijnen (ZI)
Akihabara is an internationally renowned meeting point for the Otaku culture in the centre of Tokyo city. Otaku is defined as; a person who is obsessed with computers or particular aspects of popular culture. In this area a person can express their fascinations, with flashing lights, massive arcades, gadgets and products for sale. Innovation and tradition meet at a single point. There is no better place to see this culture. The design is a metaphorical interpretation of the Japanese culture; the people are usually perceived as very polite and shy but when it comes to ‘otaku’ they have a desire to express. Our design is a segmented karaoke facility with rooms suspended on steel cables tied to a bar overlooking Tokyo. The connection between the culture is strengthened through the use of semi translucent glass bricks that give a glimpse to the interior situation yet supply the people with anonymity.
