FINALIST
AOMORI NORTHERN HOUSING
COMPETITION
Aomori, Japan
Aomori is a city located at the northern tip of Honshu, the largest of Japan's islands. The climate is extremely cold for most of the year and the city frequently records snowfall of unusual proportions. The two-stage competition brief asked for 200 units of housing on a downtown site. Each unit should vary in type, with an average size of 900 square feet.
Christoph Kapeller's project was one of seven finalists to reach the second stage of the competition. The judges were: Tadao Ando and Jean Nouvel.
PROJECT MEETS CITY
The project opens a public, central, pedestrian, snow-free space spanning east west from Peace Park Street to Hashimoto 1-chome 6-go Street. This central passage space leads the public into the complex and introduces a strong urban environment flanked by cafes, shops and public amenities. This space is a vibrant meeting place between project inhabitants and city population – a strong magnet in the heart of downtown during the day and night and the winter and summer. The entire passage is fully accessible for the disabled and elderly citizens.
​​​​
PUBLIC CENTRAL GARDEN
A lush, central garden, which forms part of the public passage, is the common heart of the project. Covered by a retractable glass roof, the garden’s climate can be fully controlled and kept snow-free and warm during the winter, cool and open during the summer. Waterfalls, ponds, plants and flowers, generous seating environments establish an oasis for citizens of all ages throughout the year.
PUBLIC SNOW GARDENS
“Snow-Gardens” are flanking the towers and the central passage. Their gentle slopes mimic the natural surroundings, while their stepped, geometric surfaces allow pedestrian passage over and across the project. During the summer, the steps are used for gatherings, cultural performances and sports. In the winter the snow gardens reveal their true nature. The snow cover is left untouched and small geometrically arranged platforms break the smooth surface of the snow- covered steps. The “snow-gardens” are used for various winter sport activities, for children’s play and form a wide surface on which the joy of the snow- covered landscape can be truly enjoyed.
​
SEMI-PUBLIC SKY LOBBIES
Two towers house the apartments and semi-public central sky-lobbies. The elevated levels provide wide views of the sea and mountains while five centrally located sky-lobbies act as “vertical courtyards” alternately opening up towards different directions of the city. The sky-lobbies provide the inhabitants with a series of semi-public space and contain various amenities.
THE APARTMENTS
93 two-story child-friendly apartments feature connecting external private garden boxes, fully enclosed at the sides for privacy and open to above. A large moveable surface at the front of the box controls views and environment. 107 single floor apartments can be offered for the disabled, single, two and three bedrooms. Access to the apartments leads through one of the central sky-lobbies thus enhancing the formation of small communities around the central space.
