Located in Yokohama, toward the center of the small Japan, is an item that evolved from a simple vent stack a large colorful cylinder which has become a landmark in the city.
This item designed by legendary architect Toyo Ito (creator of the Sendai Mediatheque) has a large aluminum cylindrical tower, about 21 meters in height, arranged on the old vent stack that also includes a large underground water tank. Although the morphology of this element does not draw viewers’ attention, is really the soul that touches everyone who passes by.
This is how the Tower of the Winds shows his multifaceted aspect as the passing of the day. During the day, when the sun is strong in the sky, these aluminum panels reflect light, quietly hiding inside the tower. It is in other words, a kind of aluminum sculpture that rises above the trees surrounding environment.
But when night falls, the interior of the tower begins to give life. Hundreds of small mirrors inside reflect the multi-colored lights emanating from small lamps accompanied by neon tubes generating 12 different movements and styles. These small lamps react differently each time, as the noises generated near the tower. In turn, the large neon tubes intensification also change depending on the strength of the wind, connected by a computer that creates generic patterns, based on information that spreads throughout their environment.
No doubt more than a simple aluminum tower.
Tags: landmark, tower of the winds, Yokohama