© Mitsumasa Fujitsuka

Japan 1994Kiro-San Observatory

Ehime
Civic
Completed

This project focused on anti-disposition of objects in the nature. Kiro-san Observatory appears as a single narrow slit inside the hillside. This has reversed the concept that is imbedded to our daily life that any observation platforms typically expose their presence by simply standing amidst the natural environment.

The hilltop that was previously sliced horizontally for a function of observatory – park is restored to its original form by re-filling. Then, the narrow slit is recreated, this time buried into the ground. The slit is thus all that is visible from the outside, and visitors begin and end their journey from this slit. The visitors broaden their view of the environment through the slit which also frames the view. The aim here is to transfer the fundamental concept of an extruded object into an intruded slit: What was previously seen is now reversed to act of seeing.

Inside the observatory, a few video monitors are installed. As one looks into the monitor, he/she finds the self inside the screen monitored by a camera of unknown location. This device forces one to recognize the fact that to see is to be seen, and vice versa. An observatory was first invented to actualize the privilege of viewing the world through specified objects, lenses. However, to see is to be seen; to view is to be viewed. As an experiment of reversing what an object does and has done to the space and environment, the project continuously challenges the concept already imbedded to our daily life.

Team Shoji Oshio Award 第7回 公共建築賞・優秀賞, Grand Prize for JCD Design Award 1995 Cultural / Public Institutions, SD Review 1992 The 11th Exhibition of Winning Architectural Models and Drawings Kajima Prize Publication JA : The Japan Architect 2016/Spring 101 , JA : The Japan Architect 2000/Summer 38 kengo kuma 隈研吾 , GA JAPAN 41 , Nikkei Architecture 1998/08/24 No.619 , Nikkei Architecture 1998/08/24 No.619 , Nikkei Architecture 1996/07/15 , JA : The Japan Architect 1995-03/Autumn No.19 , JA : The Japan Architect 1995-03/Autumn No.19 , Shinkenchiku 1995/08 , Nikkei Architecture 1995/03/13 , JA : The Japan Architect 1995-01 Spring 17 ANNUAL , Nikkei Architecture 1994/11/07 , GA JAPAN 11 , Shinkenchiku 1994/11 , GA JAPAN 1993/Autumn 005 , GA JAPAN 01 , JA : The Japan Architect Vol.6 季刊 SPRING 1992-2 Photography ©︎ Mitsumasa Fujitsuka