Tokyo Sky Tree, the tallest television tower topping out at 634 m was officially opened in Japan on the 22nd of April in 2012. The height of a new built tower is twice the height of Tokyo Tower that was damaged in consequence of the earthquake in spring, 2011.
A name of the tower was chosen by the results of national competition that had been held in April and May, 2008. “Tokyo Sky Tree” seemed more attractive to the Japanese people. And it’s not surprising! The top of the tower is literally touching the sky!
Tokyo Tower with the height of 333 m, unfortunately, doesn’t give complete television broadcasting coverage because it’s surrounded by several high-rise buildings. Thus, nobody wonders why Tokyo Sky Tree that’s located in Sky Town, has become a main commercial center and asset of the country.
The designers created a “skiey” city nearby the tower with an aquarium, planetarium, 312 shops, a number of restaurants, a market and a theatre. They’ve also planted cherry and red pine trees to make the place more appealing to the public.
The base of the tower has a structure similar to a tripod. The structure was thoroughly thought over by designers so that the tower could have the strength to withstand strong winds and seismic activity. There are observatories at 350 m, with a capacity of up to 2,000 people and 450 m, with a capacity of 450 m, respectively. The design of Tokyo Sky tree was proposed by Nikken Sekkei company in 2006. There is a roof at 450 m, the last metres to the highest point is an aerial. Tokyo Sky Tree Tower has got not only impressive structure but also a great-looking design! The interior part of the tower is painted in traditional color used for facades in Japan — bluish-white color.
The illumination design was published on the 16th of October, in 2009. Blue and purple light electronic diodes follow each other spreading vividly bright spotlights at surrounding entertainment facilities of a “skiey” city on a daily basis. Two illumination patterns “Iki” (stylish, chic) sky blue and “Miyabi” (refinement, elegance) purple are exactly the characteristics one would choose to describe the new Japanese television tower — elegant, posh and stylish!
The name for the tower was chosen by a decision of the general public. The committee has picked six final candidates: Tokyo Sky Tree, Rising tower, Tokyo Edo Tower, Tower of the future, Rising east tower and Dream Lookout so that people could chose a winner. On the 10th of June in 2008 Tokyo Sky Tree was announced as the official name of the television tower.
The height of 634m was chosen with a reason. The combination of numbers 6 (mu), 3 (sa), 4 (shi) stands for the old name of the Japanese region “Musashi” where Tokyo Sky Tree was built.
A system to control swaying designed by Nikken Sekkei company together with a contractor Obayashi has got a name Shinbashira. Steel-reinforced construction is tailored to designed to give to withstand building sway during an earthquake. The interior of shinbashira construction contains an emergency stairwell if the need arise.
Toshiba Elevator and Building Systems Corp. signed a contract to install 6 high-speed elevators for Tokyo Sky Tree. Four of them have a 2400 kg capacity (40 people) with a maximum speed 600 mpm. A travel distance of service elevators with a 1800 capacity (27 people) with a speed up to 240 mpm amounts to 464,4 m. In case of emergency, elevators can be switched to 540 mpm.
Those visitors who’d like to get to the first observatory deck can use the high-speed elevator which will bring them up in approximately 50 s.
Toshiba Elevator and Business systems companies ensured a comfortable ride for all visitors by reducing shaking when the elevator travels up and down. To make it possible, designers kept the difference at the joints of the rails under 0,001 mm. Setting the upper and lower covering at a slight angle helped to reduce wind resistance as well.
All technologies that were used to develop tower lifts are unique and advanced. However, employees of Nikken Sekkei company are sure that shinbashira construction could successfully be applied for building of similar facilities in the future.
