Maintaining a city’s identity beyond trends

To world-renowned architect Paul Tange, trends, a general direction in which something is developing or changing, is something which is transitory.

“What are trends? In general, trends are short-lived and have a transitory tendency, like fashion and music. So, as an architect, we have mixed feelings when we hear the word ‘trend’,” said the president and senior principal architect of Tokyo-based Tange Associates.

In urbanism and architecture, trends have more long-term perspectives, Tange told participants of the recent Future Forward Forum organised by Rehda Youth (the youth section of the Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association Malaysia) on Sept 29, 2016. The event was organised in partnership with Nippon Paint Malaysia.

“Trends within the long-term perspectives have to consider people’s daily lives and lifestyle because in modern architecture, we have to understand the users, which are all of you,” he added.

Indeed, for any trend to be sustainable, it has to take into consideration the varied tastes, customs and lifestyles that people have. Nippon Paint Malaysia, for instance, noted the unique and rich culture and colour preferences of people in Asia and decided to come up with a colour reference called Trend Beyond Colours created specifically for the Asian market.

Tange, who has worked on over 430 projects in 33 countries, recognises that history, culture, traditions and customs are what form people’s characteristics and are crucial ingredients of a city’s identity.

“The most important thing is to realise who we are. Globalisation helps us to know what’s happening around the world but ‘Rashisa’ is the one that creates a city’s identity and appeal,” he said. Rashisa is a Japanese term that refers to the recognisable or established qualities particular to a person or thing.

In global cities such as Tokyo and Hong Kong, Tange has helped to preserve the essence of the cities with new buildings and architecture.

Tokyo, for instance, is a city full of history and has a cityscape that combines the historical with the modern. It is a city where the latest technologies thrive amidst centuries-old customs while its culture is a symbiosis of ancient Japanese arts with the latest popular trends.

“Tokyo achieves its Rashisa by balancing globalisation and localisation,” Tange said, adding that his architectural firm has, in its urban and architectural designs, always respected the Rashisa of each place.

For instance, the Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower in Shinjuku, Tokyo designed by Tange Associates has managed to house three different schools — fashion, medical and information technology (IT) — in the 50-storey educational facility building designed based on a cocoon concept.

“A unique skyline creates the Rashisa of Tokyo. What happens if these buildings are just plain boxes? Yes, we create weird buildings, but we are giving the skyline an identity,” he declared.

In Hong Kong, Tange designed The One, a 24-storey shopping mall that features a distinctive facade made up of different depths, materials and innovative elements. It was designed to preserve the essence of the city, which is made up of colourful signages and active street life, said Tange.

“To me, Hong Kong is all about neon signages and hearing hawkers shout on the streets as I walk along Nathan Road. All of these cannot be gone,” he offered.

What about the Rashisa of Malaysia then? Tange suggested that Malaysian architects should be inspired by the country’s rich nature, diverse historical customs, dynamic traditional architecture and unique climate.

“Respecting and considering these elements will help decide a trend that can develop a new Kuala Lumpur,” he opined.

Meanwhile, Tange Associates has also been appointed to design the aquatic centre for the next Summer Olympics in 2020 to be held in Tokyo. Interestingly, Tange’s late father Kenzo Tange had designed the Yoyogi National Gymnasium for the 1964 Summer Olympics.

“I feel it’s important to incorporate the feeling of Tokyo into the design. I’m designing an architecture which emerges from Japanese culture with its space defined by a magnificent roof. It is also important that its architecture touches people’s emotions, to be a mutually inspiring environment for both athletes and spectators,” he shared.

This story first appeared in TheEdgeProperty.com pullout on Nov 4, 2016, which comes with The Edge Financial Daily every Friday. Download TheEdgeProperty.com pullout here for free.