This place in the early Edo period was located on the banks of a pond, which was maintained as a water source, and was a relaxing and lively open space surrounded by greenery. The pond was gradually reclaimed and turned into land after losing its function as a water source. Before starting this project, the greenery of this place had been lost and this place was a city filled with small and medium-sized old buildings. The concept of this redevelopment project is to revive the underlying value this city with greenery and wat.
Now, the skyscraper building is covered in a landscape of greenery and water, connected to the city through greenery, creating the new representative of the city.
Social, environmental, and spatial facts:
Overall landscape composition
At the Edo period, the forest of Sanno Shrine was visible beyond the pond. Following with this history, we created a green mound on the other side of the waterscape to see the greenery through the water.
By deploying the skyscraper building to the west side of the site, the eastern half of the site was secured as a cohesive green space of about 5000 m2. This enabled to secure a large green area for the site.
Trees
We shared the goal to realize volume, impact, and comfort like natural green, immediately after planting.
In order to achieve this goal, we devised the followings: regarding trees selection, the planting design and methods.
The tree species that originally grow in the mountains were planted on the slope, and the tree species that grow near the water were planted near the waterscape.
From two years before planting, we examined each tree in the field in the suburbs and selected trees that have natural shape with freely growing branches. The largest one is a wig with a height of 13m.
We measured all of them, recorded their individuality, and examined planting patterns by combining photographs with 3D software.
A voluminous feeling was given by planting a combination of multiple wild shape trees.
The debranching for transportation was minimized and the trees’ shapes were kept as they were. The trees were planted in the most attractive direction while adjusting the individuality such as the inclination of the trees and the balance of the adjacent trees.
Edo horticultural tree species
During the Edo period, horticulture was popular and the general public enjoyed greenery. Following this history, we planted cherry blossoms, plums, citrus fruits, etc. to people can see cherry blossoms, sing old songs, and eat fruits. Currently, many events are held in this place; cherry blossom viewing, fruit harvesting, and wreath making events by using pruned branches.
water
The outer shape of the upstream part of the waterscape inherits the shape of the pond that once existed. The appearance of the waterscape becomes thinner from east to west. This is likened to the history of Tameike landing.
3-row tree-lined road
The 200m three-row green road on the south side of the site was planned as a “large green road” that extends to the adjacent block from the beginning of the plan. We had discussions with the business operators in the adjacent block.
About 50 trees with a trunk circumference of 0.6m or more are planted so as to produce volume as a green tunnel.
We get administrative agreement to pave the adjacent public road using the same blocks as the site.
Water cycle
We save water resources.
By arranging the waterscape in a low place in the green space, the surface rainwater that did not penetrate the soil collects in the waterscape and the trench beside the waterscape. The water in the waterscape and the trench is filtered and circulated.
In addition, a sufficient amount of tanks were installed on the water. As a result, the water naturally flows down from the water to the waterscape, reducing the number of times the pump pumps water and saving electricity.
Irrigation
Most of the green area are non-irrigated. Automatic irrigations are limited to some uses such as shallow parts of the planting base.
The soil is natural with high water retention capacity.
Natural stone
Komatsu stone and Nefugawa stone, the same kinds of stones which used for the Edo castle masonry, are used for garden path and landmark. These stones inherit the historical landscape.
Wooden benches and tree name tag
We designed natural wooden bench units and combined them to follow curved green area and slopes.
The trees’ name tags were tied with a long string to sway in the wind. Each one is accompanied by a brief explanation to visitors such as the origin of the name of the trees.
Tiny lighting equipment
We designed lighting equipment to hide them in the green space. A grass pattern is drawn on the glass of them.
Biodiversity
The new 6550m2 green area contributes to local biodiversity. We planted 656 trees 145 species.
White-eye, Great tit, Varied tit, Bulbul, Redstart, Oriental turtle dove, Sparrow, and Onaga are flying. Two birdhouses are installed.
Green management
We are building and maintaining a management system to guide high-density green with a future image close to nature.
Even now, the designers are growing the green landscape while designing the planting management.
With the idea of helping the growth of plants, we check frequently and take care not to cut down the branches too much. Trees grow by pruning the branches in harmony with the adjacent trees. Shrubs and groundcover plants will also be replanted as they grow up.
We have 50 sensors in the garden to monitor the temperature.
We also have a small vegetable garden and grow vegetables and herbs for neighbours.
Data
Green area: 6550m2
Greening rate: over 50%
Project location: 1-8-1 akasaka minato-ku,Tokyo
Design year:2016
Year Built:2017
