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Urban Residential over Retail - Tokyo, Japan

Posted on April 28, 2011 by Tadd Miller

Walking through Tokyo with two fellow architecture buffs from NYC and LA, the three of us were all intrigued by the eclectic architecture. Comparisons to the Midwest, West Coast, or even the East Coast and New York are futile. It was a pure delight to tour. Residential above commercial is more likely the case than not, so for a mixed-use geek like myself, there were too many examples to count. The most intriguing part of Tokyo development however was the sheer compactness and density of the sites. The width, the depth, the height; and then a comparison to the width vs. height of many of the developments were truly unique. It’s not unheard of to have a 10 to 15-story building that is 20’ wide; or perhaps a 4-story 12’ wide town-home. What they squeeze on an individual site is pretty incredible. Much of this density is through the use of exterior stairwells, vertical transportation, and tighter places. Tokyo seems to take a comprehensive and overall vertical approach I have not seen in any other cities I have ever seen. Residents and customers just live in smaller places, and accept these living conditions.

In fact, we were able to visit multiple homes, and some of the most extraordinary lifestyles are found on the inside of these homes: hidden rooftops, inner gardens and vestibules, and ornate decorations. If you would look at the outside of many homes you would think them to be lacking quality and in somewhat disrepair. It seems as if they cared more about getting to know us than show us their things, a nice change of pace compared to our American culture of housing and presentation. This probably goes along with what seems to be a more humble, relationship based, Japanese attitude. Although I am sure much of this tightly defined density has to do with the historic nature of the city, and the politics of ownership that have taken place over time. However, I am curious if some of this is because of the lack of pride of the Japanese, and their lack of need for the large houses, big cars, and large lawn sprayed with the TruGreen guy.

Photos

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This entry was posted in Design, Asia

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Ginza District: Tokyo

Posted on April 14, 2011 by Tadd Miller

As I walked through the Ginza District in Tokyo last fall on a ULI leadership exchange, this was one of my favorite places. I enjoyed the stroll with a couple of my peers, admiring the equivalent of 5th Avenue in New York, only with a lot more eclectic and exciting architecture. It's not as pedestrian friendly, but who cares when the only people who can actually afford to shop here arrive by private coach and limo.

After having some of the freshest sushi in the world at 4:30am for breakfast, I I was about to experience firsthand some of the most striking architectural expressions in Asia. An urban infill dream, where there is no budget outlandish enough, and anything goes, it is incredible the creativity that comes into each of these buildings and baffling how the economics work. I would assume these buildings show piece events, and are loss leaders to indicate the level of style and class that is involved within them. I know that there is supposed to be so much money here, and I guess people fly in from all over to be able to purchase items here. I guess that is what goes along with much of the greatest architecture in this world. Those of use who don’t have the means can live vicariously through those who do.

Photos

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This entry was posted in Asia

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XianTianDi, China - Shui On Development

Posted on April 07, 2011 by Tadd Miller

Of all the projects I have toured throughout China, XianTianDi in the Pudong area of Shanghai is one of the most well thought through, creative, iconic and best implemented projects I have seen. Although it doesn’t quite scream insurmountable super-power of steel and glass like the World Financial Tower, it’s a must see visit on a Shanghai tour. Next door to the iconic Pudong skyscrapers, it is a true urban project that pays homage to the area’s bright historic background, yet integrates and delivers high-rise, mixed use components in its core. It is an incredible reuse of historic structures, including careful placement of new a hotel and office building with selective demolition of historic structures. The result is a viable street pattern and new community.

It took a special company, great attention to detail, proper funding, political connections and designers to think through and implement this complex project. This is the type of mixed use development that we all dream of participating in, and it was amazing just to get the behind the scenes tour from our hosts at Shui On land.

The highlight of the visit: the developers rehabilitated a very traditional home that was located in the neighborhood as an actual museum for people to see the contrast between history and modern day development.

Special thanks for the tours to:
K.B. Albert Chan; M.Arch, MS(UD), MBA, AIA; Director of Planning and Development
Daisy M.Y. Lai; MHKIP, RPP, LEED AP, PRC Registered Urban Planner Qualification
Assistant General Manger – Planning & Development

Photos

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This entry was posted in Project Highlight, Redevelopment, Asia

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A fashion mall entrance? No, the subway.

Posted on March 01, 2011 by Tadd Miller

Shiodome mixed use milhausShiodome subway milhaus

At the headquarters of a Japanese television and communications conglomerate in Shiodome, Tokyo, this area is fascinating. It's an interesting architecture for the entire building, however the first few floors are the most striking with exterior pods that act as sound, radio, and television studios, and bridges that connect the different areas on the first floor. As I walked through it, it appears to be a modern architectural play off of Rockefeller Center’s area around the ice skating forum.

tokyo subway milhausHowever, the most impressive part of this project is the Shiodome subway stop, which as you walk down the stairs you enter into what appears to be more like a high end Taubman mall than a subway station! It may just be because it is so new, but I don’t know if any subway in the US or many of the other countries I’ve visited have ever been this clean and extravagant. I am sure that at least a portion of this has to do with the fact that the Japanese culture, their respect and care for things personal and public seems much more intense than the increasingly self-entitled American culture. Regardless of the reasons, this is something to see, and an entryway to admire for any subway rider!

tokyo subway 2 milhaus

This entry was posted in Asia

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Skinny Vertical

Posted on February 21, 2011 by Tadd Miller

skinny vertical mixed use milhausA few days in Tokyo will open up your eyes and provide some different perspective on scale, height and space in general. Especially if you are 6’-3” accustomed to a 20’ x 20’ bedroom in the US. I saw a 6-story townhome that appears to be 12 – 15’ wide inclusive of stairs, a seemingly untenable situation. However, the architecture makes it a curious and impressive structure, and from a brief tour, a very idyllic place to reside. I am quite positive that this new construction would never be approved in the US: the slope and size of the stairs, the minimal turning radius and the width of the doors would start off the tort lawyer’s review. However, in Tokyo it is a beautiful home. I am sure that much of this is a result of the historical ownership and the small lots on which the builder had to work. Nevertheless, I think it is a very creative solution. Although I believe that a lot of codes are necessary for building safety, fair housing, etc., but if you could develop units like this in the US, it is fair to say that they would be great little abodes for many a city dweller!

Our friends at Blackline Studio sent us this other example in Amsterdam. 44 houses on 0.7 acres. Very cool.

This entry was posted in Design, Project Highlight, Asia

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The Mori Way – Discussion with Hiro Mori in Tokyo

Posted on January 12, 2011 by Tadd Miller

“Hope in the sky, Green on the Ground, and Joy under the Ground” – Mori Building Company motto.

mori 2 mixed use milhausThe motto of the Mori Building Company, based in Tokyo, Japan, is true to form in its developments, in which it strives to build the “Vertical Garden City.” I was fortunate to get to spend half a day with Mr. Mori, who has now transferred his immense knowledge of the vertical cities he built in Japan into his development of the World Financial Center in the Pudong District of Shanghai, China. It is no doubt that Mori is one of the pre-eminent vertical city builders in the world. Our discussion with him in this small group from the Urban Land Institute about the Roppongi Hills project was the highlight of a brief Asian development tour.

mori 1 mixed use milhausI have not known too many people who pay attention to detail even on small projects, let alone the way Mori pays attention on these massive developments, which really are cities in themselves. I was in awe of the models that are exact replicas of Shanghai, Tokyo, and New York City. I could pick out small buildings, the boathouse on the water in Central Park, and the Essex Hotel – even its signage. It was clear as he placed scaled models of projects around the room that Mori was in his design mode. He presented the details of projects they had already developed and showed us how they would fit into the skyline landscape in New York or Tokyo. It’s incredible the amount of time, energy, and thought that went into the placement and the design of each of their buildings. The careful approach was not just for the specific building, but rather how a building fit into the city as a whole. For any urban planning and architectural admirer, a model tour with Hiro Mori is a must, and it is one of the more memorable meetings and presentations I have ever been in.

This entry was posted in Asia

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Gale Industries/KPF – Office Tour in New York

Posted on January 11, 2011 by Tadd Miller

Songdo mixed use milhausI recently enjoyed lunch and a visit with Tom Murcott of Gale Industries in New York. A tour of the shared office space between KPF (www.kpf.com) and Gale (www.galeintl.com) makes any architectural and/or urban planner enthusiast get excited. With the scale models of Songdo International Business District in Korea, the Meixi Lake District in China, and the World Financial Center and surrounding Pudong District in the heart of Shanghai, a world tour is accomplished on the office floor in the middle of NYC. Tom is an established professional who has been in the Asian markets for many years, and a huge promoter passionate about the markets and the city building efforts throughout Asia.

The most intriguing part of the visit was the sheer scale and breadth of these projects. Gale is one of today’s city builders, literally. As a business plan, it’s hard to bet against a group who has already accomplished so much, but more importantly who seem to be on the wave of what is the future of development. These countries are experiencing what we saw in the US happen during the 20th Century with industrialization and increased growth after two world wars. However, instead of the Pullman Company and highways spreading and sprawling the cities, there appears to be a lot more focus on vertical cities, mass transit, and large scale city and conservation plans. The important thing in these projects is creating the scale and substance necessary to achieve the momentum required for successful long term growth. It seems the scale of these projects more than accomplish this. It will be interesting to see what the plague of the international economy does to these projects. I can only hope that this wave continues to increase the density and conservation in these developing countries.

This entry was posted in USA Northeast, Asia

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