By: Michael Condom
In
Fukuoka, the most populated city on Japan’s Kyushu Island, the Acros Fukuoka
building rises like a mountain from a central park.
The
concept was to create a building that, while man-made, seemed to grow
organically from the adjacent green space — which was one of the last of its
kind in the city center.
As
Japan and the rest of Asia look ahead to save energy, they are turning to the
Acros Fukuoka building as a possible blueprint for more efficient urban
planning.
The
office building — which also houses a symphony hall, international convention
center and shopping mall — employs the use of natural light and insulation to
save energy.
Studies
have shown the areas covered by vegetation on the south side of the building
are 10 degrees cooler than concrete areas in the middle of Fukuoka during its
intensely humid summer.
The
mountain shape also creates a breeze at night which reduces the “heat island”
effect of the surrounding area.
An
atrium on the south side, together with banks of floor-to-ceiling windows, help
reduce energy consumption through the use of raw light, softened by the
curtains of vegetation.
Architect
Takuji Fukuda explains the building is designed to take advantage not only of
the naturally occurring light and insulation, but also rainwater to create a
more environmentally friendly office building.
In a
post-Fukushima Japan, the nation is undergoing a cultural shift in terms of its
energy consumption.
“Everyone
is probably saying the same thing — that we are using too much electricity. I
think there is no question we do,” he said. “And so, now, we have to save power
in Japan.”
Fukuda
envisages major cities where natural methods will be increasingly combined with
better urban design. Along with the cultural shift, an architectural shift may
follow.
Source: Globalpost