Tokyo is a juxtaposition of old and new, with large and small buildings pressed up against each other. The design celebrates the rich variety of layers and the intensity of the city. Working with a large and complicated irregular-shaped plot, the design has brought harmony and created a distinctive identity which is particular to Tokyo. 30 years of community-focussed regeneration has resulted in over 90% of the original tenants and businesses choosing to return to the new district. The design team devised a scaled-up pergola-like system to unify many different elements of various sizes.

Without sacrificing connectivity to the ground, this design allows for substantial areas of greenery, both at ground level and climbing up the podium buildings. The 8.1 hectare district is filled with trees, flowers and water features and has become one of Tokyo’s greenest urban areas. Echoing the project’s valley setting, the structure resembles a gently sloping hillside, before puncturing the ground to allow natural light into the basement retail zones. Traditional Japanese crafts, such as the Edo Kiriko glass etching technique, have also been referenced to ensure the project captures Tokyo’s essence, down to the smallest details.

Azabudai Hills is on track to become one of the world’s largest sites to receive the preliminary WELL certification, the highest-level LEED Neighbourhood Development certification for mixed-use developments, and LEED’s Building Design/Core and Shell Development certification.