Hi, everyone. I am Sotaro. Today, I would like to introduce Big Box in Takadanobaba. It is a commercial building.
Big Box was built in 1974 by Kisho Kurokawa. Have you ever heard of his name? I think some people have heard his name before. He is a famous Japanese architect. He announced his candidacy of Sangiin statesman and the governor of Tokyo in 2007, but he failed both of them. The Governor of Tokyo now is of course, Shintaro Ishihara. His famous works are Prince Hotel in Karuizawa, Kuala Lumpur International Airport, and the National Art Center Tokyo. Have you ever seen any of them?
Big Box is in front of the Takadanobaba Station. Seibu Railway Company owns it and the building is nine-storied building. It was built in 1974 and it was rebuilt in 2007. The construction took 4 months. There are a lot of shops and cafes in the first floor. Uniqlo, 100 yen shop Can Do, or excelsior café is good examples. In the third, fourth, and fifth floor, you can go to the gym, play golf, or take some massage. In the sixth, seventh, and eighth floor, you can play arcade game, darts, or bowling. Also, internet café (man-kitsu), karaoke, is available too. Finally, in the ninth floor, there are restaurants.
The reason why I picked this building is because it is familiar to many students of Gakushuin. Also, I thought it used to be a conspicious building than now. Before the building was reconstructed, it was like this.
The building was famous for the man running in front of the building. Everyone understood where to get together just by saying, ''The building which the guy is running.'' It was clear for those who visits Takadanobaba for the first time. Also, the color was red then. I prefer the design of the past. My first visit to Takadanobaba was when I was a high school student, so I didn’t know the design of before as well as it was designed by Kisho Kurokawa.
Thanks for reading!
Sotaro
Your choice is very interesting. But I thought this homework was to choose a Frank Gehry-designed building. Anyway I did not know that Big box was reconstructed and Kisho Kurokawa disigned this. I know Kisho Kurokawa. I saw him on TV when 2007's election. He looks so gloomy to me. I have never seen the old big box although I have been the new one many times. I wonder the name Big box was named by Kisho Kurokawa or not. Do you know that?
ReplyDeleteI am going to Big box until I graduate.
Lily
I like the outside of this building, but the inside of the building is not so good, I think. And the tenants of this building are very ordinary shops. So I'm sorry about that point.
ReplyDeleteHowever when I was first year student, I sometimes went to this building to play darts in 自遊空間 in 7th floor. That is good for students to play I think.
Motoki
I love your choice! His works are excellent and nowadays they have been playing a great important role in Japan. By the way, I think the style of BigBox is totally different compared to other his works. I'm really curious about that point.
ReplyDeleteShun
I’m Narumi.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy reading your blog, because I read this when I went to the BIG BOX building.
I did not know BIG BOX was built by such famous architect.
I understand that it may be interesting to research about the local building.
Narumi Tsunashima
Thanks for your interesting blog. I didn’t know that the Big Box was designed by such a famous architect, Kisho Kurokawa. It is one of the popular entertainments in Takadanobaba. I’ve been to the game arcade but didn’t know that it also has gym in there. I suggest that it is a problem that the building has only lifts, no escalators. When I went to the game arcades, the lifts are often very crowded and some people can’t get in. There are three lifts, I remember, but they are not so large. Since it’s a high building, it will be more useful if it has escalators. Anyway, I’m not a gamer who is eager to reach the arcade, so please don’t misunderstand. haha
ReplyDeleteIn addition, Mr. Kurokawa’s other buildings are also great. They are modern style and look very new. The fact that he announced his candidacy to some governmental position is interesting. I wonder what Tokyo was like if he became the governor.
Marumi
It's interesting. I love going to Bix Box because it is very convenient for me. Surely, This building has big impact. So, we can make this building as the waiting place. Your story of "the runnning guy" is very fun!!
ReplyDeleteKako Furukawa
What is special about the design of Big box? I don't think it is very attractive on the outside or on the inside. Really, it seems like a typical shopping mall. I know it is a landmark in Takadanobaba because it is the biggest thing around the station and is within view of both rail and subway stations. Can you label your photos? I don't know what all of them are.
ReplyDeleteMs. MacGregor