
Stainless steel mirror art piece "STAR" installed at Tokyo Midtown Yaesu.
Over 2,000 rods attached to the sphere, creating a star-like brilliance.
Reflecting city lights and neon signs at night, showing a dazzling appearance distinct from the daytime view.
■Unique Stainless Steel Art with Beautiful Light Reflections
Tokyo Midtown Yaesu, a large-scale complex building directly connected to JR Tokyo Station, comprising commercial facilities, offices, hotels, and a school. KIKUKAWA participated in the production of the stainless steel public art piece “STAR” installed at the entrance. This enormous “light sculpture,” designed by Tokujin Yoshioka, stands 9.5 meters tall with a diameter of 6.4 meters. It symbolizes a ray of hope for the future and conveys a wish for world peace and unity. Over 2,000 stainless steel mirror polished rods, positioned in a 360-degree array, reflect sunlight and night lights, creating a variety of dazzling effects. This new symbol of Yaesu mirrors the ever-changing cityscape throughout the day.
■Mirror-Polished Stainless Steel Welding with Minimal Distortion
The mirror-polished stainless steel rods were custom-made for this project, utilizing octagonal or hexagonal extrusions ranging from 35 to 70 mm in width. The rod tips are sealed with welded mirror-polished stainless steel plates. To achieve the random, crystal-like appearance, 27 rods of various lengths (210 to 4150 mm) were assembled into one unit, resulting in 79 units of eight different types. To meet the client’s request for minimal distortion in the mirror-polished surface, we primarily used fiber laser welding to reduce heat-induced deformation. Careful attention was paid to the welding sequence and direction, and through trial and error, we successfully established the optimal processing method.
Click here to find out more about Fibre Laser Welding
■High-Precision Installation with Advanced 3D Design Technology
Supporting the artwork is a 280 mm diameter stainless steel round pipe column topped with a mirror-polished stainless steel sphere about 1 meter in diameter. The rod units, weighing a total of 5 tons, are attached to this sphere. Due to the complex, three-dimensional shape, we utilized 3D-CAD for design and 3D printing to create models for internal review and client consultations. Welding the base parts to attach the rods to the sphere required extreme precision, as even slight misalignments would prevent correct rod installation. We developed a special three-dimensional gauge based on the 3D design data, ensuring precise positioning by fitting over the sphere. This integration of design and manufacturing expertise led to high installation accuracy.
■Exploring Installation Methods Critical to Artistic Realization
The densely packed structure of the stainless steel rods made the installation method a crucial aspect of this project. We meticulously planned from the initial stages, erecting the base column and sequentially bolting the rod units from the top of the sphere on site. Careful verification during the design phase ensured that each rod could be installed in the correct order. We also conducted pre-simulations using VR for the tight installation space. Custom-made washers were developed to provide stable, secure fixation for the long, heavy rods, balancing aesthetic considerations with safety.
■A Monument of Stainless Steel Reflecting KIKUKAWA’s Technical Expertise
The project demanded high-quality mirror-polished stainless steel welding and precise three-dimensional installation techniques. To faithfully reproduce the designer’s intricate details, we conducted numerous prototypes and simulations. Our integrated approach, from design to construction, allowed comprehensive planning from the project’s outset through the installation phase. This showcases KIKUKAWA’s unique strength and resulted in a stunning art piece that crystallizes our metalworking expertise.
Product | Material | Metal Finishes or Metalwork |
---|---|---|
Public Art "STAR" |
Stainless Steel | Mirror Finish |
Project | Tokyo Midtown Yaesu, “STAR” |
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Client | Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd. |
Architect | TOKUJIN YOSHIOKA INC. |
Contractor | TAKENAKA CORPORATION |
Completion | 2023 |
Location | Chuo-ward, Tokyo |