A PALACE FIT FOR A PRINCE
30
90
THE palace of Crown
Prince
Akihito and Princess Michiko, of Japan, located in Akasaka, took nearly one and a half years to com- plete.
Designed by Prof. Kichiro Tani- guchi of the Tokyo Institute of Technology, the newly constructed palace stands on a plot of land 528.000 square metres in area, and was designed in accordance with the wishes of the Crown Prince and the material used was all produced in Japan.
Total floor area is about 3,857 square metres and the palace itself is built of earthquake-proof ferro-
concrete.
The palace is divided into three distinct sections or compartments containing public, private and office rooms. All these sectors are easily accessible to each other through winding corridors.
The compartment containing rooms for public functions presents the best in the traditional architecture of Imperial residences in a new form. It opens into a garden where an artificial pond made of blue stone from the Chichibu district dominates the scene.
Untouched marble blocks from Inada dot the pond, creating an atmosphere of serenity keeping with the design of the palace.
This portion has a total floor space of 857 square metres and includes a hall, parlour, large and small recep- tion rooms and a dining room. All these rooms are arranged so that public functions can be held smooth- ly. All are on one floor.
Furnishings of the newest designs have been made for all the rooms and paintings by the most representative artists in Japan adorn their walls.
rooms
The private section comprising the of the Crown Prince and Princess and their baby Prince Hiro, is a two-storey building with floor space totalling approximately 1,447 square metres.
Above: The main entrance of the public residence. Pillars are of arti- ficial stone; walls of mortar.
Left: The serene surroundings and pool are in the best Japanese tradition.
THE HONG KONG & FAR EAST BUILDER-VOLUME 19, NUMBER 3
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