Maison Hermès, Tokyo: An Architectural Gem by Renzo Piano 🏢

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• Maison Hermès
• Renzo Piano Building Workshop
• Fondazione Renzo Piano
• Location on Google Maps

Maison Hermès, situated in the bustling district of Ginza in Tokyo, represents not just a store but a significant architectural statement by Renzo Piano. Chosen by the renowned French Group Hermès for its main Asian headquarters, this 6,000-square-meter building hosts retail spaces, workshops, offices, exhibition areas, multimedia sections, and a rooftop French-style garden. The building's conception and realization posed both aesthetic and technical challenges, particularly in crafting an architectural masterpiece that meets stringent earthquake safety requirements in a city known for its diverse architectural landscape.

Architectural Design and Features 🏛️

The building's facade, inspired by the image of a 'magic lantern' similar to those in traditional Japanese houses, captures the essence of the design's inspiration. Comprising 13 floors (including three subterranean levels), the Maison Hermès extends 45 meters in length and 11 meters in width. At its heart lies an open square, leading to the main entrance and a two-level underground subway station accessed by an integrated escalator.

The facade of Maison Hermès is notably crafted from custom-made glass blocks, each measuring 45 x 45 centimeters, creating a 'glass veil'. This distinctive feature not only meets rigorous fire safety standards but also ensures structural integrity during earthquakes. The interplay of light and transparency morphs throughout the day, altering the building's external appearance and establishing a balance between traditional elegance and technological innovation.

Innovation in Anti-Seismic Design ⚙️

Drawing inspiration from Shintoist temple architecture, Maison Hermès features a unique anti-seismic system. A central mast, from which the building's slabs are suspended, forms the core structure. This concept echoes the resilience of Shintoist temples against frequent earthquakes. The building's primary line of pillars is firmly rooted in the foundation, while the innermost pillars are cushioned on viscoelastic material to absorb tremors. This ingenious design allows the entire structure to move during an earthquake, with predefined displacements uniformly distributed across all structural elements, thereby ensuring the safety and integrity of the building and its network systems.

In Summary

Maison Hermès in Tokyo stands as a testament to Renzo Piano's architectural prowess, seamlessly blending traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern technological advances. Its unique design not only addresses the functional needs of a commercial space but also contributes an iconic structure to Tokyo's urban fabric.