Overcoming Extreme Density

Thus, the major theme of this project became “overcoming skyscraper density to achieve an appealing urban space that only large-scale mixed-use development can provide” in accordance with the development plans. It was inevitable that buildings would get clustered together, so a plan was needed to ensure that visitors to the area did not feel crowded or overwhelmed.

But as the saying goes, it’s easier said than done. After many agonizing days of trial and error, the location of the Umeda Daibiru Building offered an idea for a solution. As one design personnel member recalls, “The location of the Umeda Daibiru Building in nearly the center of the main street on the south side, which was about 200 m in length, including the east block, gave us an idea. We realized that if we substantially raised the first floor of the Umeda Daibiru Building, which sat in the middle of the district, then it would give the entire district a sense of depth.” This resulted in a design plan involving a large space with pilotis 15 m in height for the first floor. This would provide room for pedestrians and would avoid feelings of suffocation. However, some called the plan controversial. Installing pilotis in the entrance meant that there would be no first-floor rental space. That would have a major impact on the company’s sales strategy. In the end, however, Daibiru selected the proposal with the large pilotis. This led to the successful development of a dynamic, three-dimensional urban space with a walkable urban environment.

The completed Umeda Daibiru Building was directly connected to Garden Avenue, a 600-m-long underground walkway that runs under the road in front of the building and connects to Umeda Station on the Hanshin Line, Nishi-Umeda Station on the Osaka Metro Yotsubashi Line, Umeda Station on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line, Higashi-Umeda Station on the Osaka Metro Tanimachi Line, and Umeda Station on the Hankyu Line. Furthermore, with the opening of the JR Tozai Line, which cuts across the center of Osaka, the Umeda Daibiru Building became one of the best locations in Osaka.