Ireland House, Tokyo: Henry J Lyons appointed following an international design competition.
In September of 2019, The Department of Foreign affairs, supported by the RIAI, commissioned an architect-led team to design and deliver the Ireland House in Toyko, by means of an architectural design competition.
As part of the ‘Global Ireland 2025', the government will seek to expand its presence in the Asia Pacific region. Part of this expansion will incorporate the development of ‘Ireland House’ in Tokyo, which will bring diplomats and state agency personnel together under one roof.
Team:
Design Architect: Henry J Lyons
Local Architect: Integrated Design Associates/ Taro Ashihara Architects Tokyo
Engineers, Structural and M&E: ARUP Dublin and Tokyo
Landscape Architects: Studio On Site Tokyo
Cost Consultant: Sato Facilities
The fortified permanence of the Irish tower house (caisleán) is abstracted and acts as a cultural and physical anchor.
The architectural form identifies an interweaving of the historic Irish Tower House (caisleán) and the traditional Japanese townhouse (machiya). In doing so it reflects as a strong aggregated and sculpted monolith that cradles delicate glazed timber lanterns containing the principal functions of the brief. The building’s identity carefully balances a bold steadfastness with an open and welcoming invitation; the solidity and dependability of consular and diplomatic service counter-posed with a light filled beacon for business, culture and community.
It is said that the Japanese garden is placed at the crossroads of nature and culture, a connection between our roots and the future. Here, the wooden lantern and stepped monolithic forms are planted in a symbiosis of geometric and natural elements. The connected landscapes of Ireland and Japan reinforce the cultural dialogue and create an important link between the urban park and the Ireland House interior. The aggregated and layered street facing facade gently responds to the rhythmic verticality and height diversity of the urban context.
The sequence of garden spaces draws the eye through the public areas bringing light and nature into the heart of Ireland House.
Machiya are wooden townhouses, with different variations built throughout Japan. Ma means ‘space’ or ‘between’, chi means ‘road’ and ya means ‘shop’; a space along the road with a shop. The formal mixing of business and domesticity is a highly relevant reference. Ireland House is after all the shop window for Team Ireland. The narrow deep plots of the traditional machiya often contain one or more small courtyard garden or tsuboniwa.
Timber screens shade the outer glazed skin in rhythmical layers responding to light and privacy requirements. Their metronome counting time in shifting light displays. The effect of light suffusing spaces is both to calm the spirit and sharpen the senses; heightening the way one experiences the grain of a length of timber or the junction between two surfaces.
