Ireland House – Tokyo

• Stage: Competition Entry
• Location: Tokyo, Japan
• Client: RIAI / Dept of Foreign Affairs
• Budget: Undisclosed
• Floor: 3,500sq.m

We collaborated with Dutch Architectural firm Fritz Van Dongen on the recent RIAI Open Competition for Ireland’s new Embassy building in Tokyo, Japan. The site of ‘Ireland House’ occupies a restrained territory at the heart of Tokyo’s Shinjuku city region. Giving territory ‘back’ formed the initial concept for our proposal. Through carving space into the site, we could act to anchor the complex series of spaces into a singular volumetric move above ground allowing for the building to carefully mediate between street and public garden. This concept provides a much-welcomed relief within the density of the block while strengthening the relationship to the Sotobori-dori Avenue.

Through a careful analysis of the surrounding area and existing masterplan we concluded that a building of the smallest possible foot-print would enable a ‘breaking’ of the existing density of the block, allowing for greater depth of view and light into this area of dense architectural massing.

The level of urban activity uniquely defines the condition of Tokyo as a city striving for moments of peace, and our proposal strives to give ‘new’ territory back to the city delivered as a series of internal and external public spaces. Light and open-space contribute to redefining the traditional notion of an Embassy as a private or inward-looking typology. Instead, our proposal suggests the experience of an Embassy as open, transparent and welcoming; a cultural destination for Ireland in the heart of Tokyo.