Tokyo it is famous for its glittering skyscrapers and the neon signs that color the city streets, but in this ultra-modern atmosphere what stands out is a construction that seems to have come straight out of a cartoon. It is about theArimaston Buildinga concrete tower with a fairy-tale appearance that conquers – on a daily basis – the attention of photographers, curious people and architecture lovers from all over the world with its irregular and curved shapes which appear to be hand-drawn. The building was created by the Japanese architect Keisuke Oka and is a rare example of artisanal architecture in a city dominated by glass and steel.
Arimaston Building, a 10 year project
The architect Keisuke Oka59 years old, has dedicated over a decade to the realization of the projectArimaston Building. His choice, in fact, was not to rely on large construction companies, designing and constructing every part of the building personally. From the stairs to the windows, each element tells of his passion for authentic architecture made of craftsmanship e spontaneity. A real defense of manual work, with a firm no to mass production.
The result is that the Arimaston Building is today a building that does not follow the rules, but reinvents them, becoming a symbol of a new form of aesthetic resistance and independence creative in contemporary Tokyo.
Direct criticism of contemporary society
What may seem like just a histrionic project is, in reality, much more. According to Oka, modern society is suffocated by toothat is, from too many objects, too much production and, consequently, too much consumption. “Once upon a time – said the architect – there was a fear of not having enough, today we have too much”. His tower is therefore a manifesto of simplicity and of measure, an invitation to rediscover balance between creativity and necessity, between craftsmanship and technology. Each floor of the building is constructed as an act of meditation, a return to slowness in a fast-moving city.
The challenge won by the architect
His having acted outside the conventional mold rewarded the architect Keisuke Oka. Today, in fact, the Arimaston Building in Tokyo is considered a cultural and artistic reference point in the Japanese capital, with tourists and residents who often stop to admire its surreal structure and reflect on the message it intends to send. It’s more than just a building, it’s a lesson in creative freedom.
