Tokyo Institute of Technology Hisao & Hiroko Taki Plaza

Hisao and Hiroko Taki Plaza is located at the entrance of the Tokyo Institute of Technology, serving as both a new portal opening campus life and a platform that accommodates various student activities. Most of the building is underground, with only lush small hills visible at ground level, allowing it to blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape while preserving the clear view from the entrance toward the university's important landmark, the clock tower. The small hill roof consists of stepped greenery and seating terraces that echo the green slanted wall of the adjacent library. Together, the two buildings create a green valley. The green valley, as a new green space, will bring fresh activities and life to students. The stepped landscape of the roof continuously climbs toward the surroundings and extends into the building, blurring the boundary between interior space and exterior landscape. This design also allows public learning and joint seminars to take place simultaneously on different floors. The project by Kengo Kuma creates a student hub that is nearly invisible from the outside, preserving the campus's historic sightlines while providing modern, flexible spaces for collaborative learning and social gathering.