Japan

Yokoama University yroup S. Kawai and Ren Suzuki Associated Architects

In Yokohama, one of the most important ports in Japan, the buildings of the State University (Schools of Economy, Technology etc.,) are scattered all over the city. It has for many years been the intention to group these on a single site, and now the government has finally decided to undertake this project on a golf course (approximately 150 acres in area) right in the centre of Yokohama.

We have taken the first steps in the vast planning problem. It is a long term project as the ultimate requirements are not known and in any case the requirements of each department do and will vary. At present, there is a total of 3,700 students for an area of 500,000 sq. ft. In 5 years, there will be 4,500 students for an area of 700,000 sq. ft., and in 20 years there will probably be a population of 10,000 students for an area of 2,000,000 sq. ft. As a result, it is impossible to arrive at a definitive solution and we have been forced to seek a multiple one —a system capable of being adapted to any possible situation. In addition, in view of the siting, it is desirable to retain the maximum amount of open space.

To achieve this, the first essential is “concentration”. In order to retain this concentration, we have decided on a single infrastructure set in a virgin environment. This infrastructure is a sort of “pipeline” containing ail necessary services, including car access. The “fall” of this tube is defined in advance and is not dictated by the slope of the ground. Terracing of the site is therefore unnecessary and the natural contours can be retained.

Once this principle is accepted, the development of the University will be completely free; each stage is complete in itself with the possibility of infinite and spontaneous change. There will never be a definitive solution beyond which it will be impossible to develop further.

We are under no illusion, however, that the estimated life of the project is 50 years. By this time, or even sooner, an even more flexible solution may be found.

202

203