RICCO SAKAE is a complex in Sakae, the largest downtown area of Nagoya. Located near the middle of the main street of Sakae, it is surrounded by a slew of state-of-the-art commercial buildings and well-known brand shops. The project site is a corner lot facing an intersection. As it had already been decided at the beginning of the design development phase that luxury brand shops would be invited to occupy the lower stories, the façade design had to have a strong presence to ensure the building’s high visibility.

To optimize the corner lot location, and notwithstanding the 10-story structure, we aimed at producing a visual impression of a soaring tower. The building design actually combines two structures: the eastern structure on the intersection side (the Tower), which is treated as a tower, and the slightly shorter western structure nestled against it. The central part of façade of the Tower protrudes above the rooftop, while the mullions accentuate the longitudinal aspect, drawing the eye upward. Also, the corner section of the Tower is intentionally simplified to make the central mullions stand out. Likewise, the western structure also adopts a light and simple style as it nestles against the star feature, the Tower, to create a well-balanced overall appearance. The main entrance to the luxury brand shops on the lower levels faces the intersection. Accordingly, the plan allows access to the building from the foot of the Tower. The building thus has a strong presence in Sakae.