Special feature GINZA KABUKIZA

Old materials give the building color and an aura of history
Architectural design, Design Department IV, Satoru Sumitani

This project presented an unprecedented challenge: to rebuild a traditional theatre dedicated to Kabuki, while inheriting its previous architectural design, and integrating a high-rise office building at the same time. As I was responsible for the architectural design of the theatre, I conducted research with the historical materials of the previous theatre, and took measurements on site.
I started by studying the shapes and dimensions of the building’s distinctive architectural features, such as the roof tiles, the “kumimono” bracketing at the top of the pillars that support the eaves, and the “tategu” fittings. On that basis, we tried as far as possible to re-use old materials. For example, the transom with an open-work pattern of flowers placed over the main entrance of the 4th Kabukiza was re-installed to the new main entrance. This design goes back to the 3rd Kabukiza. We also saved and re-used many of the metal ornaments used on the cusped gable and the interior, as well as stone and wood materials. As for the stone framework of the entrance doors and the wooden proscenium arch of the stage, we used the old materials with only minimal refurbishing, retaining the scratches and nail marks left by time. Old materials that have been used for a long time give off an aura. By incorporating old materials in a design that faithfully inherits the design of the 4th Kabukiza, the inherited parts come to life and give a sense of the passage of time. I think old materials convey the aura of history and lend elegance and color to the 5th Kabukiza.

At the project site, I was in charge of the exterior. I worked closely with the Kengo Kuma office, the contractor, and the lighting designer to check the fit of the various exterior materials and how the re-used materials were working. We used actual-size drawings to check the re-used metal fixtures around the roof. Finally, we built a mockup to check the fit of the materials, the color, the construction methods, and how it would all look when lit up at night. The exterior team worked hard to ensure that the wide range of materials used, including prestressed concrete plates, glass fiber reinforced concrete, aluminum, tiles, and metal ornaments, were all installed harmoniously, carefully checking the texture and grain of the materials and their alignment. It was one difficult task after another, but there were also many exciting moments such as when the scaffolding came down and part of the exterior of the 5th Kabukiza came into view on Harumi-dori.

The moment when life is infused into the sleeping theatre

What I enjoyed the most by participating in this project was the grand opening, seeing so many fans throng to the newly completed 5th Kabukiza. Up to that time, the theatre seemed to be sleeping. But then it awoke and started to breathe, as if given a new life. It’s true – buildings come to life when they are used. Personally I was happy to hear what my grandmother had to say. She had known the Kabukiza since the 3rd-generation building, and her opinion was that this one was the best, with its white walls. The color of the 4th Kabukiza was warmer, but that was due to grime, exhaust gases, and ultraviolet rays. A new building could not be built with that color. From an analysis of the previous building, we concluded that it too was probably the color of white plaster at the start, so when we chose the color of the paint we knew exactly what we wanted. It was gratifying to hear that effort appreciated.