Sendai Mediatheque 2000

Client : Sendai City
Design : Toyo Ito & Associates, Architects

This seven level above ground floor glass building includes a public library, gallery, theatre and a workshop and event space. The building serves as a multi-functional arts and cultural facility for community cultural activities. The building is composed of seven steel sandwich panels, a shaft of 13 steel-frame "tubes", and a double-layer glass facade.
The entire 50 square-meter exterior is glass, so that during the day, the nature outside has a tangible presence inside the building, while at night, the activity inside can be observed outside. This exterior-interior unity also makes the building unique in terms of light.