date: 2000
client: Aomori
status: competition / thesis – FIRST PRIZE in Z.Majerski competition
typology: residential / public space
location: Aomori, Japan
area: 20 000 m2
authors: Aleksander Bednarski, Michał Bszychcy
promoter: mgr inż. arch. Andrzej Duda

The project is trying to tackle two main problems of Aomori City: gigantic snowfall and people’s migration from
city centre to the suburbs (shrinking city). Proposed spiral structure of apartments generates free from snow
public space with park character. This space called ‘city biosphere’ is a place for walking, meeting neighbours,
recreation, cultural and commercial activities. ‘Biosphere’ is placed between bands of apartments, which are a
natural roof, protecting from snowfall. This space contains desirable village- like quality. Located in there entry
zones to apartments, called ?tea rooms? are substitute of Japan traditional tea houses, always put in natural
environment. ‘Village in the city’ is trying to redefine values of private, semi-private and public space as well
as a suburban model of living in the city centre.