We argued that the Osaki project gave the owners an opportunity to identify with two emerging trends. They could simultaneously celebrate Japan's embrace of the Information Age as well as the sensible development practices associated with Green Urbanism.
To illustrate this, I created the name, ThinkPark, and the project catchphrase, Where Ideas Grow. It was not an easy sell. It took nearly eight months for the owners to warm up to the idea, and it didn't help that ThinkPark is pronounced ‘sinku-parku' in Japlish. But initial feedback from City officials and prospective tenants was positive. Eventually, the owners agreed. Then came the hard part of convincing them to put the words into actions.
At 30 stories and 461 feet, the ThinkPark Tower had been nearly completely designed by the time we joined the project. Nikken Sekkei, the Japanese project architects, proposed a high-rise that would echo the style of Minoru Yamasaki's familiar but now vanished Trade Center towers in New York.
Already designed into the project were some advanced but invisible energy saving systems, including thermal-glass that regulates solar heat absorption, occupant sensors that automatically turn off lights when rooms are empty, and ultra-high efficiency HVAC systems. And, of course, the site is at the crossroads of several major public transportation routes, so the need for wasteful car parking space was radically reduced.
Nevertheless, the only area where we could bring the Green Urbanism concept to life where it would be noticed was in the ground level public spaces. To help with the task, we hired Neil Denari, a Los Angeles-based architect known for his futurist designs. We asked Neil to design a ‘forest' that would act as a buffer between the Osaki business district and the tower. It would be a place that would feel like a park but provide the control and security needed for a large commercial office complex. I christened the area, The Thought Forest.
It generated a lot more than thought. Nikken Sekkei's authority had been challenged, so they came back with their own version of a park. After the bruised egos were resolved, a plan emerged that would provide a park-like apron at the base of the tower complete with a shopping area and a public commons. Although this may not seem like much, dedicating 20% of the lot to green space in a city like Tokyo was largely unheard of before ThinkPark.
So, it's the trees, an unusual amount of publicly accessible green space, preferential bicycle parking, proximity to public transportation and enhanced energy efficiency that have combined to help ThinkPark live up to its name. There's even a kid-sized soccer field designed to serve local families and a public WiFi Digital Lounge to encourage the free-flow of ideas.
But I don't think these are the most important things. ThinkPark has served as a harbinger for more sustainable, earth-friendly building in Japan. And while there are certainly other examples of green building design in Japan, ThinkPark is one of the first examples of a large, commercial structure taking the environment and tenant health into consideration in the overall plan.
The facility, which was over 90 percent leased prior to completion, opened to the public last month.
++++
Rick Seireeni is President of The Brand Architect Group, based in Los Angeles. The Brand Architect Group is a strategic brand consultancy with offices in Los Angeles, Tokyo and Shanghai. Project specialties include retail, food service, banking and real estate development. Rick Seireeni is currently writing a book about the new eco-capitalists who are building brands for the Age of Sustainability. www.brandarchitect.com
