Tokyo, Japan
1.5 million square feet / 144,000 square meters
2012

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The ARK Hills Sengokuyama Mori Tower is a 46-story office and residential tower in the heart of Tokyo. The tower is located in the leafy Minato ward, home to foreign embassies and international businesses. Mori has been redeveloping the neighborhood with mixed-use towers for more than 20 years.

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To distinguish its two primary uses, the tower changes in materials and form as it rises. The base of the building is stone and glass. Square corners at the first two levels, which contain the building’s retail and commercial uses, recall the low-rise buildings to the south. Apartments are on floors 3 through 24. Those with the largest balconies are on the lower floors. The corners of the building begin to round on the third floor and the form starts to taper. At the office levels, the wall is glass and the corners are subtly stepped, creating a tilted conic silhouette.

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Between the residential and office levels, the 25th floor contains a sky lobby, also used as a common meeting space for the offices, and amenities. Two lounges for residents, one with a kitchen for entertaining, offer views of Tokyo Tower, Rainbow Bridge and other city landmarks. Additional amenities are on the first two floors and include a members-only spa and fitness center with a pool. Commercial space on the four lower levels includes restaurants and services.

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The tower received the highest rating under CASBEE, Japan’s sustainable design rating system. Sustainable design strategies include solar power generation, interior LED lighting and an HVAC system with fresh air intake. To reduce heat absorption, the tower has low-e double-glazed windows and exterior screens to block sunlight. Extensive landscaping with trees and greenery tie the development to the surrounding area. The landscape received the highest ranking from the Ecosystem Conservation Society Japan for its efforts to preserve and restore biodiversity to the site. Thirty percent of the tower’s roof deck is also planted.

In addition to the tower, the project includes three low-rise residential buildings. To relate to the tower, the buildings are clad in limestone and have translucent glass balcony fronts.