Shinjuku simulated city

testo di Toyo Ito tratto dalla rivista JA Japan architects n.3 summer 1991

"Tokyo is evolving more and more into a state that can be defined as "Simulated city". Life is largely predeterminated by consumerism situated in a stage set-like urban space that is perpetualy changing. It is the "Tokyo Nomadic Girls" who enjoy this tipe of life style the most. The live alone and are unrestricted by the old conventions of family life. The hit the keyboards in "intelligent office" (higly computerized office building) during the daytime, and wander into the urban stage set of night life after work with their boyfriends. They eat and drink in the cafebars designed by trendy designers, they shop in departent stores where the latest design items are on display. They go out to the movies, and work out in the gym. For them, cafebars and movie teathers are an extension of their living room, restaurants replace their dinning room. Work out gym is thier garden, and boutique are their walk-in closet. 24 hour convenience stores are their refrigerator. They become the eroines of the superficial, simulative, temporary space that assimilates the glitzy stage set. They are living as if in a dream or fairy tale.
What is the reality of life for them? How can define the meaning of a place of communication among themselves? You are to develop the programmatic proposition that also integrates three differently characterized areas into one dynamic one by connectiong the flow of people, cars and energy.
The final proposal is to be presented by the representation of the building as a physical substance. It is important to re-examine the meaning of making architecture in the simulated context of today through the proposition of physical building."

p.50