Electrodrome

INFO

Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Kenzo Tange and completed in 1996, the Fuji TV Headquarters in Odaiba, Tokyo, remains a defining piece of late 20th-century Japanese architecture. The building features a striking grid-like structure and a unique, 1,200-ton suspended titanium sphere. Far from just an aesthetic choice, this geometric design systematically separates operational zones across two towers connected by elevated sky corridors. Each tower houses studios, offices and tech centers.. Rather than a single monolithic block, these engineered gaps optimize wind flow from Tokyo Bay, while a rigid steel-framed structure allows for maximum absorption of seismic shocks.

The 60-meter long sky corridors (mega-trusses) form a robust lattice grid that links the structures and reinforces the building against high winds and earthquakes. The Headquarters most iconic feature is the 32-meter titanium-clad “Hachitama” observational sphere sitting on the 24th floor of the 25-story building. It offers panoramic 270-degree views of the surrounding bay, Rainbow Bridge, and Mount Fuji in clear conditions. Weighing a massive 1,200 tons,nearly three times the mass of a fully loaded Boeing 747 the sphere was originally assembled on the ground and lifted over 100 meters using synchronized computer-controlled hydraulic jacks. This lifting process took over 9 hours. Standing at 123m (approx) tall the Headquarters maintains a monumental standout presence in the Tokyo Bay skyline.

This composition was one I come across in my research leading to my trip which I was keen to capture in my morning photographing the HQ. The image needed to be captured a bit after 10am, quite late for me in terms of quality of light but it was a neccesary compromise as the buildings opens its enormous staircase to the public at that time and I felt people were neccesary to create the sense of scale I was looking for. Composing for the signage, gapped collumms, stairs I waited patiently for the opening.

This was the final result, I ended up going for a more stylised look, intentionally warming the colours to create a fake sunrise look. The building signage, scale with people and shafts of light peaking through the columms showed off the architecture perfectly.

Banshee Boardwalk

Fuji TV Headquarters front entrace at opening, Odaiba, Tokyo Bay