The ballet school with shell-like roof in Japan
The top heavy structure tries to be easy coming for the town.
A project by Y+M design office
#Architecture
img.0Photography by Yohei Sasakura
The top heavy structure in a quiet neighbor in Tokushima city is a classic ballet school by Y+M design office. Characterized by a three tier structural form, a mosaic glass wall plays with the degrees of transparencies. The pointed roof form represents a free-hand and fluid motion, giving enough height to allow lifted movements during ballet practice. Simultaneously, the exaggerated eaves of the roof canopy acts as a shade and cover for the car and bike parking outside.
img.1Degree of transparency of the mosaic curtain wall is different in accordance with distance to neighboring residences
img.2The large roof ensures enough height for ballet practice
The architects comment: ‘we tried to make the ballet school approachable, easy coming for the town. For it we designed that pillar and beam structure-steel shaped ‘h’ character is uncovered and wood wool cement board is used for exterior wall to give an offhand and organic impression.’
img.3The exaggerated eaves provide a canopy
img.4The route to the upper studio follows gradual steps wrapping the perimeter of the building
Programmatically, the services and dressing rooms have been placed on the ground floor, meanwhile the whole upper level has been dedicated to the dance studio. Aiming to prepare an uplifting mindset for the student’s lesson, the protracted journey from the entrance point to the studio itself consists of a route that follows the perimeter of the building and the steps travel up in a gradual slope until the classroom.
img.5The ballet studio
Comprised of high ceilings, the light and airy studio is based within the roof where the irregular form has distinguished the angularity of the ceiling and emphasized by the timber cladding. Mirrored walls and the ballet barre responds to its function, meanwhile randomly placed openings provide natural light with distant views of bizan mountains.
img.6The angular nature of the studio is emphasized by the timber-clad high ceilings
img.7Hot air is exhausted through the window on top of the ceiling and the fan with temperature sensor
img.8Exterior of the ballet school
img.9The building fits in with the surrounding quiet residential area
img.10The mosaic wall is lit at night
img.11The façade at night
img.12Exploded axo of the building by y+M design office