Language:Japanese
Building completion: 1984
Use usefulness: Commercial facilities
There is a building called “TIME’S” on the bank of the Takase River, which flows through Kiyamachi Sanjo in Kyoto.
This work, like the “B-LOCK Kitayama” on Kitayama-dori in Kyoto, is a typical 1980s design by Tadao Ando, made of concrete and concrete blocks.
This work seems to be based on the concept of unity with the Takase River, which flows through the city, and I feel that I was somehow conscious of Frank Lloyd Wright’s “Fallingwater”.
By connecting the building to the Takase River and restoring the contact between people and water, I sought to preserve the landscape while at the same time injecting newness into the city.
Quote: Building design thinking drawn by Tadao Ando
If I remember correctly, when the building was completed, it was a beer hall.
The interior was a simple space, made of concrete and concrete blocks, just like the exterior, and the murmuring of the Takase River echoed pleasantly through it.
I also remember the lights illuminating the interior of the store shining through the beer mugs, sparkling.
After that, it was occupied by high-end apparel stores that offered cutting-edge fashion.
At that time, the innovative design of the building in one of Kyoto’s busiest districts was a good combination of artistic fashion, and it attracted many young people.
However, due to the influence of the new corona that became prevalent from around January 2020, the momentum of the downtown area declined, and it finally became a vacant store.
Current “TIME’S”
Currently, it is owned by a company called “Osawa Office Co., Ltd.”, which is contracted by a major financial institution for registration, etc., and it seems that they are looking for tenants after renovation (renovation work).
This time, I couldn’t enter because it was closed because I was looking for tenants, but you can see the floor plan on the website of the Osawa office, so please check it out if you are interested.
Osawa Office website: Information on recruitment of tenants for “TIME’S Building”
In conclusions
What I thought about this building was that it was cool in the summer because it was made of concrete pouring and concrete blocks, but it felt cold in the winter, so the store you are moving in must also meet those conditions.
In addition, since the difference in height between the water surface of the Takase River and the floor of the first floor is small, there is a risk of flooding if the water rises due to heavy rain, etc., and this is also likely to be an issue that tenants will have to consider.
However, in spring, the cherry blossoms planted along the Takase River are very beautiful, and the view from the first floor near the water surface is a view unique to TIME’S.