Located in front of a large park in Tokyo, YDS reconsiders the meaning of “living together” and tries to drive an organic wedge into the city. Connecting the residential building with the city by making a public space which is open to the city is the design solution.

To create a building which is one and only for this site, stairs are placed in front of the park. The stairs not only function as a route to housing units from the entrance hole for residents, but also function as open promenades for the city. Made by cantilevered exposed concretes, it would cast shadows which change every moment. Transitional beauty of light and shadows would be expected.

Covered by glasses, the space of stairs positively relates to the city around and it would blend in the scenery of the site. The glass projects images of people who go up and down the stairs, providing vital public space to the city. In fact, it becomes intermediate space as well as confronts the city and nature.

Since scenes would change according to the season and time, residents enjoy various views of the sky and the forests in the park. Climbing up and down the stairs is like walking above the park, rather, flying over the park. Although the space is somewhat small, it is like “Floating Promenades” for people.

Looking the sky from stairs in daytime remind us the profound beauty of wildlife nature including light, air, wind, cloud, and rain. Seeing the night sky from there make us aware of great existence of the cosmos.

With a spectacular view of the forests, it transforms to “Urban Agora” within the building for residents. The space of stairs is “Void of the Light” where one would realize the fact that all things exist in the mixture of the light and shadow, and the spaces connect to the form.

Furthermore, taking in the sky into the inner spaces revitalizes the relationship between the nature and human being. The void is stretched out to the city, it works as a node between the city and the architecture. Contrary to our daily life in which we see the sky from a distance, one sees and feels the sky with the whole body.

In the underground floor, the shadow grows stronger and shows the fact that light is a medium between space and form. Stairs of exposed concrete highlight their existence when light encounters shadows.

At night, the stairs float and shine in the dark, and illuminate the city, thus, “Void of the Light” is transformed into “Tower of the Light”. It would add distinctive scenery to the existing city day and night.

Simple silhouette envisions small universe which demonstrates new public spaces, symbolizing new symbiosis between buildings and city, yet giving birth special experience of nature.