One of my favorite modern buildings in Tokyo is the Tokyo International Forum. Designed as an an Exhibition Space and a series of conference halls, it is the result of planning for a new exhibition complex first mooted in 1980, a design competition held in 1989, and won by New York architect Rafael Vinoly. The complex was opened in January 1997. I first saw it in 1998, and at that time the huge Lobby Gallery was not quite ready for exhibitions, and some of the facilities were not quite complete.
Outside view of the main 'ship-like' building.
I saw it again a few weeks ago, and it is now well and truly complete. It is a huge, ship-like glass and steel construction, very high-tech modernist, it consists of 145,000 square meters of floor space, housing the vast, open space of the Lobby Gallery, 7 assorted sized halls, 33 conference rooms, 11 restaurants and cafes, several shops, a gallery, and a lovely, airy outdoor modern plaza area for entertainment events. One of the halls will seat 5000 people in a concert configuration, and the cafeteria can be booked for up to 200 seated guests. Unusually in Tokyo, it has an internal car park for over 400 vehicles. The building is 11 stories, 60 meters high, and goes underground to 3 basement levels.
The outdoor plaza, a view of the outside of the concert halls building from the plaza, the magnificent steel and glass ceiling, and a view of part of the huge open space of the lobby hall.
By all accounts it works superbly as a concert, conference or exhibition facility, but even if it didn't, it is a wonderful piece of visual architecture, viewed from outside or inside. But entering the Lobby Gallery, seeing the vast space open before you, and then looking up to the steel and glass roof structure is breathtaking. It is a very spectacular ceiling, reminding me of a huge whale skeleton, clad in a glass skin. If you are in Tokyo for any reasonable time, or around the Tokyo station or Ginza area for any time, it is well worth a visit.
Two more views of the lobby, one from ground level and the other from the elevated entrance. A view of a cafe area, the entrance to a hall, and escalators to a higher level. The lighting in these areas is shoji inspired, a nice Japanese touch.
It is very conveniently located between Tokyo and Yurakucho JR stations, and right above the Yurakucho subway station. It is about 5 minutes on foot from Tokyo station, and about a 5 minute walk from the main shopping street of the Ginza. It is well worth making the effort to see it, day or night (very spectacular at night from outside), especially if you are interested in modernist architecture. I am sure most people would rate it as one of Tokyo's best new buildings, even considering the glut of great buildings Tokyo boasts.
Great shots, with a very good use of your wide angle lens Ray.
Posted by: marlof | March 25, 2006 at 03:32 AM
Thanks marlof. It is a stunning building, and really lends itself to wide angle shooting.
Ray Kinnane
Posted by: Ray Kinnane | March 25, 2006 at 09:10 AM
i am researcher do study about tokyo international forum plz i need it architecture plans , it is concept, construction , the way it is used in construction
Posted by: dalia | February 28, 2007 at 08:29 AM
Dalia, I cannot help you very much, other than to give you this web address of the architect. There is a contact section on their website, and you can email, or write to them direct.
Here is the url.
http://www.rvapc.com/
Good luck!
Ray Kinnane
Posted by: Ray Kinnane | February 28, 2007 at 10:37 AM