jun aoki sinks omiyamae gymnasium into landscape in tokyo

jun aoki sinks omiyamae gymnasium into landscape in tokyo
photo © maria novozhilova
all images courtesy of jun aoki & associates

with the design of the ‘omiyamae gymnasium’, architect jun aoki sought to create a modest addition to the suginami district of tokyo, japan. this was achieved by sinking the sports facilities into the ground, with only one-storey revealed above grade. also serving to reduce the building’s presence, roof areas are utilized as green park spaces. this strategy serves to increase the amount of usable landscape, and integrates the structure with precipitation forces.

from grade, the facility is seen as two one-storey volumes of elliptical shape
photo © maria novozhilova

a courtyard is created between the two volumes
photo © maria novozhilova

photo © maria novozhilova

on the interior, the true size of the structure is clarified, containing large sport courts and a swimming pool. the design allows for ample daylight penetration, which produces bright spaces. the secondary building incorporates solar panels onto its green roof, serving to partially offset the facility’s energy usage.

the green roofs provide an area for play or relaxation
photo © maria novozhilova

multi-storey heights allow for daylight penetration through interior spaces
photo © maria novozhilova

photo © maria novozhilova