Marche Vison: A New Dawn in Market Architecture

Tomoya Akasaka's Award-Winning Design Fuses Tradition with Innovation

Marche Vison's design is deeply rooted in the natural elements of rain and sunshine, vital for nurturing crops. The expansive roofs, designed with the concept of the water cycle in mind, symbolize the absorption of energy through a curved surface extending over the ground. The structures supporting these roofs draw inspiration from the repetitive torii gates at the Akone Yashiro Shrine, a symbol of prayers for abundant harvests, rich fishing yields, and thriving businesses.

But what sets Marche Vison apart is its role as a platform for fostering regional collaboration through food. This market extends beyond the concept of traditional farmers' markets by promoting dining events designed to stimulate regional innovation. Under its symbolic roof, Marche Vison creates an engaging landscape where the dynamic pace of business blends seamlessly with the tranquil rhythm of nature.

The building's realization technology is equally impressive. Divided into four wings, the staircase-like slabs are connected by slopes, and the pitch of the wooden frames is continuously aligned to ensure a unified space. The continuous shape from the hill in front of the building to the large roof draws the eye upward, creating an expansive landscape. Several smaller volumes are placed beneath the large roof, generating a diverse walking area with a maze-like network of alleys and plazas.

Marche Vison's design also prioritizes sustainability. The facility's expansive roofs cover an open-air space underneath, allowing visitors to reconnect with the changing seasons, often overlooked in modern retail. With this simple approach, the design reduces energy consumption to address environmental concerns. Raindrops descend regularly from the eaves, creating a 'rain curtain'. Local wooden louvres are incorporated on the side facing the expressway, adding warmth and harmony.

The design of Marche Vison was rooted in an effort to preserve an authentic mountain experience whilst ensuring accessibility for wheelchair and pushchair users. The structure, divided into four buildings, incorporates tiered platforms connected with ramps, maintaining the fun of a trail-like stroll and the fluidity of the view. This upward movement, from the terrain to the expansive roofs, encourages the gaze upwards. A distinctive aspect of this design is the continuous eaves running across the buildings, creating a long cascading curtain of rain, promoting a deeper connection with nature.

Striking a balance between commercial feasibility and preserving the site's unique 'genius loci' was the greatest challenge in this design. Tomoya Akasaka aimed to create a landscape integrating seamlessly with the promotion of local industry while ensuring sustainable prosperity. The incorporation of the natural surroundings posed challenges, as considerations such as signage and lighting could disrupt the natural aesthetic. Such considerations required powerful vision and acute attention to detail.

Marche Vison stands as a testament to the power of design in fostering regional collaboration, promoting sustainability, and preserving the natural beauty of a region. It's a shining example of how architecture can go beyond aesthetics and functionality to become a catalyst for social and environmental change.