Un arcobaleno “mille-feuille”, così la francese Emmanuelle Moureaux, a capo dell’omonimo studio d’architettura con sede a Tokyo, ha definito l’edificio progettato e realizzato per la Sugamo Shinking Bank nella capitale giapponese.

A comporre la spettacolare facciata dell’edificio, situato nel distretto cittadino di Shimura, è una successione di piani colorati di diversa lunghezza, in 12 tonalità cromatiche, che sembra attraversare un monolitico, grande corpo bianco per “romperne” l’introversione e colorane la candida superficie con una moltitudine di riflessi cangianti. Nelle ore notturne gli inserti colorati sono illuminati artificialmente a seconda della stagione e del momento della giornata, creando atmosfere sempre differenti.

Tre i livelli su cui si sviluppa l’edificio. Il primo ospita ATM, sportelli, uffici e uno spazio aperto, popolato di sedute in 14 colori differenti. Il secondo accoglie uffici, sale riunioni e una caffetteria, mentre il terzo è riservato al personale.

La ricerca della leggerezza caratterizza tutto il progetto. Gli interni sono illuminati da tre pozzi di luce di forma ellittica che percorrono altrettanti livelli dell’edificio, contribuendo alla ventilazione delle sale e l’afflusso di luce naturale. Le pareti sono decorate con un motivo a “dente di leone” (il fiore dall’impalpabile corolla). Per la pavimentazione è stato selezionato del parquet chiaro.


Concept : Rainbow mille-feuille


Sugamo Shinkin Bank is a credit union that strives to provide first-rate hospitality to its customers in accordance with its motto: “we take pleasure in serving happy customers.” Having completed the design for branch outlets of Sugamo Shinkin Bank located in Tokiwadai and Niiza, we were also commissioned to handle the architectural and interior design for its newly rebuilt branch in Shimura. For this project, we sought to create a refreshing atmosphere with a palpable sense of nature based on an open sky motif.



12 layers of color
A rainbow-like stack of colored layers,
peeking out from the façade
to welcome visitors.

Reflected onto the white surface,
these colors leave a faint trace over it,
creating a warm, gentle feeling.

At night, the colored layers are faintly illuminated.
The illumination varies according to the season and time of day,
conjuring up myriad landscapes.

A piece of the sky
Upon entering the building, three elliptical skylights bathe the interior in a soft light. Visitors spontaneously look up to see a cut-out piece of the sky that invites them to gaze languidly at it. The open sky and sensation of openness prompts you to take deep breaths, refreshing your body from within.

Fuzzy puffs
The ceiling is adorned with dandelion puff motifs that seem to float and drift through the air. In Europe, there is a long and cherished custom of blowing on one of these fuzzy balls while secretly making a wish. Bits of fluffy down gently dance and frolic in the air, carried by the wind.



ATMs, teller windows, consultation booths and an open space laid out with chairs in 14 different colors are located on the first floor.

The second storey houses offices, meeting rooms and a cafeteria, while the third floor is reserved for the staff changing rooms.

Three long glass airwells thread through the first and second levels of the building, flooding the interior with natural light as well as “blowing” air through it.

Credits
Architecture : emmanuelle moureaux architecture + design
Space Design/Sign Design : emmanuelle moureaux architecture + design
Photography : Nacasa & Partners Inc.

Project Outline
Location: 1-17-15 Azusawa Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 174-0051 JAPAN
Use: Bank Office
Structure: Steel Structure
Site Area: 762.53m2
Floor Area: 699.67m2 (1F/329.10m2 2F/312.56m2 3F/58.00 m2）
Design Period: January 2010 - June 2010
Construction Period: July 2010 - February 2011
Open: March 18, 2011


Material Information
Exterior Finish: Aluminum plate Fluoro-resin paint finish
External floor : deck
Floor : carpet , vinyl flooring
Wall : PVC Film + adhesives coloured films
Ceiling : AEP paint + adhesives coloured films
Lighting : base down lights , base lights , Bracket