noiz architects proposes shibuya hyper cast 2, a futuristic vertical city for tokyo

proposed by noiz architects, shibuya hyper cast 2 is a showcase of the most cutting-edge urban innovations combined into a skyscraper. the futuristic project suggests compressing complete city district blocks into a high-rise building based on environmental cues, demonstrating how cities of the future could be structured and operated. the project is based on urban studies based on common city problems: mobility, social welfare, administration, funding, security, sustainability and more.

images by noiz architects

the shibuya hyper cast 2 by noiz architects has been envisioned for tokyo but it aims to solve the problems metropolises around the world struggle with. as new technologies advance, urban typologies change constantly: commercial spaces have a stronger focus on customer experience; workspaces are more diverse and activity-based; housing will have more communal amenities; entertainment will be virtual-based and not dependent on space; wellness will grow on importance; and greenery and food supply will be incorporated into the urban structure. so, how will these trends affect architecture?

taking into consideration the past points, the shibuya hyper cast 2 project has been divided into chapters: translation of human-scale urban qualities into skyscrapers reality, innovations in vertical mobility, prognosis of programmatic transformations, a 4D design process, building operation with presence of digital agents and feasibility studies. the structural scheme is inspired by a traditional japanese pagoda where the core is the main structural element and box frames hover above one another where individualization, digitalization and share goods are the key social predictions that drive the spatial arrangement. these trends result in the dispersion of the majority of the program into smaller, more activity-based nodes.

our current food supply system brings up major sustainability concerns. shibuya hyper cast 2 proposes spaces between box frames filled with microclimate gardens and orchards. market demand is high, but such spatial organization will significantly raise the percentage of local production in the supply pool and additional green zones are implemented throughout the building. the building is adapted for coexistence of digital and physical agents. the swarm of digital and physical agents will be eased by common ground platform – a digital twin of the building with real-time updates. the cooperation of agents will result in much more efficient vertical communication, that will be divided into multiple elements : human elevators operating in sky lobbies system, drone shafts and digital agents’ elevators.

shibuya hyper cast 2 is a unique proposal offering a wide selection of innovative solutions. it presents a rational approach towards how complex ownership demands can be resolved, and how public-private cooperation might help to improve the quality of dense cities in the future.

project info:

name: shibuya hyper cast 2
design: noiz architects
location: tokyo, japan
status: proposal
year: 2020
category: architecture
photo credit: noiz