POLA Ginza Building Façade

Nikken Sekkei + Yasuda Atelier | Tokyo, Japan | 2009 | Custom Mechanism

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The Adaptive Building Initiative and Hoberman Associates were commissioned by POLA, a Japanese cosmetics manufacturer, to develop an adaptive shading system for its new showroom building in Tokyo's Ginza district. This system has been developed in collaboration with design architect Yasuda Atelier and executive architect Nikken Sekkei.

The 14-story building, which opened in October 2009, has about 185 shutter mechanisms that are housed within the double glazing of the façade. Each shutter has dimensions of approximately one by three meters, and is made of an acrylic sheet that has been formed into a curved surface.

Adaptive Shading Coverage: 10,000 sq. ft.
Number of operable units: 185
Material: Acrylic

Architect's rendering by Nikken Sekkei + Yasuda Atelier
Photos courtesy of Mamoru Ishiguro