#Japan #Kawasaki #Urban Design #Disaster Resilience #Kawasaki City Hall

Kawasaki City Hall: A New Urban Model for Disaster Resilience and Community Vitality

Kawasaki City has been on a remarkable journey, overcoming challenges side by side with citizens and businesses to evolve into a vibrant metropolis. However, as the city continues to grow, the old city hall became insufficient for the increasing administrative needs, leading to a fragmented operation across various secondary offices and private buildings. Additionally, the aging structure raised concerns regarding its earthquake resistance, posing risks for citizens and businesses in the event of a major quake. Thus, the decision to construct a new city hall, consolidating administrative functions and enhancing convenience while serving as a central hub for disaster response, became imperative.

The newly built Kawasaki City Hall is constructed with an innovative seismic isolation design, ensuring protection from potential flood impacts from the nearby Tamagawa River. The design features a ceiling-less office layout for enhanced safety during earthquakes, eliminating the risk of falling ceiling materials while creating a bright and open environment. Furthermore, the facility incorporates a dual energy source emergency power system using both city gas and oil, allowing operations to continue for over 21 days in case of a power outage.

An inviting atrium space in the lower levels contributes to community vibrancy during regular operations while offering multi-purpose capabilities during emergencies, including meeting rooms available for external assistance. This strategic design prepares the city hall to manage a variety of urban disasters, making it a highly resilient structure.

The recognition of this project stems from its commitment to urban development, combining architectural, structural, and equipment planning under the shared goal of disaster resilience. We extend our gratitude to all partners involved in this collaborative endeavor.

Architectural Overview

Name: Kawasaki City Hall

Location: 1 Miyamoto-cho, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture

Client: Kawasaki City

Architect: Kume Sekkei

Contractors:

• - High-Rise Component: Taisec Corporation, Yokohama Branch
• - Electrical Works: Electric JV (Kandenko, Kyoei, Keikyu Electric)
• - HVAC Systems: HVAC JV (Shinryo, Kawamoto, Meiwa)
• - Sanitary Equipment: Sanitary JV (Taisei On, Suga, Keikyu)
• - Elevator Equipment: Toshiba Elevator Corporation
• - Audio-Visual Systems in Assembly Hall: Marui Electric Works
• - Restoration Component: Ogawa Corporation, Cooperative Electrical Corporation, Meiwa Industry Corporation, Tohto Thermal Engineering Corporation, Sumiyoshi Electric Co. Ltd.

Total Floor Area: 62,356 m²

Floors: 25 above ground, 2 below ground

Structure: Steel/partially reinforced concrete/steel-reinforced concrete

Completion: June 2023

Awards: CFT Structural Award, SDA Award, Prestressed Concrete Engineering Society Award, Lighting Facility Award

Design Concept: Connecting Community Vitality, Environment, and Disaster Resilience

Situated on the historic site of the former city hall, which has served as a local icon since 1938, the new design respects its historical significance while engaging with the lively neighborhood centered around the Kawasaki station, rich in retail and dining options. The restored original city hall structure is complemented by the high-rise component, with a semi-outdoor atrium that fosters a vibrant urban atmosphere.

Incorporating features like the seismic isolation structure and ceiling-less workspace addresses potential natural disaster risks while adhering to high environmental performance standards, achieving ZEB Ready and CASBEE Kawasaki S rank ratings. Tunnels of ventilation through the inner walls of the concrete panels and adequate shading from deep window recesses ensure optimum energy efficiency.

The vision of Kawasaki's new city hall embraces the ideals of enhancing urban vibrancy while fostering resilience against urban disasters and promoting excellent environmental performance.

Explore more about the innovative design and planning at Kume Sekkei.



For further insight into Kume Sekkei’s mission, visit their website: Kume Sekkei.

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