GiLi GiLi
location : Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture
year complete : 2012
usage : communal housing (upper three levels) / commercial space (ground, first and basement)
site area : 57 m2
gross floor area : 217 m2
structure : Levels 1-3 RC, levels 4-6 cold-rolled steel channels + hot-rolled beams
architect : Naya Architecture Design Office
contractor : Goho Construction
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Naya Architects had arranged the use of the spaces so that the lower three levels were to be rental offices, and the upper three as a single residence. This change in use corresponds with the material change. By using cold-formed steel channel sections bolted together side-by-side a kind of modularized steel wall was formed which was light, simple, and could be installed very quickly. By using the gap between the channels, beam webs could be easily connected to the walls, and where necessary reinforcing strips were inserted to stiffen the wall against areas of local high stress.
In Japan the structural design of most buildings under 150m tall is dominated by seismic load. Because this load is roughly proportional to the mass, lighter buildings usually attract less seismic load. If the upper part of a building can be made lighter, then less load will need to be carried by the lower parts of the building and the foundations. A ‘light-top’ approach can therefore save quite a lot of money. This was an important factor in developing the structure for this project.
The resulting building presents its physics honestly through the undecorated material surfaces visible on all elevations. It is clear that there is a material change half-way, which lends a surprise and interest to differentiate Gili Gili from the rather typical mansion type buildings along the rest of the street.
The resulting building presents its physics honestly through the undecorated material surfaces visible on all elevations. It is clear that there is a material change half-way, which lends a surprise and interest to differentiate Gili Gili from the rather typical mansion type buildings along the rest of the street.
