A computable vitality: Kenzo Tange's architectural system

Abstract

Kenzo Tange's methodology of vitality as a design tool is explored in depth in this study. Tange, a leading figure in the Metabolist movement, revolutionized urban design with his visionary plans, develops a design methodology by referencing information derived from city flows. Tange perceived cities as living organisms that required continuous nurturing through vital elements to thrive. His approach deeply considered the dynamics of different movement types in city, proposing architectural solutions that would not only accommodate but actively promote the growth and expansion of urban planning. Tange's approach to understanding urban dynamics involves conducting flow analyses of the existing traffic system, which define the movements within and outside the city. Tange's use of movement as a regulatory and form-giving tool is explored which draws upon original research from the Harvard University Kenzo Tange archive, especially the Skopje Project. It posits that the repetitive, cyclic nature of pedestrian and vehicle movement is not just a characteristic of urban life but a driving force behind urban design. This approach underscores the Metabolist focus on cities as dynamic, living entities that continually evolve and adapt to ensure their vitality and sustainability. In his proposals, Tange introduced innovative structures that catalyzed urban movement, thereby ensuring the development of functional spaces within the city fabric. Tange determines that the intersection of different movements will create transitional areas and generate creative forms, not through design speculation but through analysis. Archive research shows how the process serve as primary data in the design process and how the analyzed dynamics of the city and Tange's reading of the city and its dynamics play a central role in formulating these movements. Tange layers movement vertically and then relates each layer horizontally to maintain fluidity. The productivity of this concept in urban design lies in the layering of movement and transmitting it through different forms and spatializations within its flow. Kenzo Tange's use of symbols in his urban design for Skopje represents a sophisticated method of encoding the dynamic processes of urban growth and change. By employing basic geometric shapes like triangles, circles, and lines, Tange developed a visual language that mapped out not only the physical infrastructure of the city but also the flow and movement within its urban space. These shapes were thoughtfully selected, with each carrying specific meanings that contribute to a deeper understanding of the urban landscape. xxiv Tange's integration of these symbols into his urban planning diagrams provided a clear and systematic depiction of how various elements of the city interact and function together. Focusing instead on creating a urban system capable of adapting to growth and change, the diagrams function as a rule system that guides the development and transformation of the city, ensuring that each component, communication space— a road, building, or public space—plays an effective role in the overall urban fabric. This method showcases Tange's visionary approach to urban planning, where symbolism and functionality converge to foster a cohesive and adaptable urban environment. Tange's work bridges Eastern and Western thought, particularly the notion of "vitality" in architecture. Tange's approach goes beyond aesthetic considerations, involving human movement and experience. While his methods may seem abstract through today's computational lens, they were operating like a coding system despite not being recognized as such. Tange's urban analysis, relational studies, and systemic observations contributed significantly to the development of architecture and systems thinking, offering a precursor to modern computational design approaches.