Proof of Concept project for next generation of vertical city
Shibuya Hyper CAST. 2 is a showcase of most cutting-edge urban innovations combined into one building. Shibuya CAST., an existing development designed by noiz, has been an urban lab of mixed function and culture located in the middle of one of the hottest areas in Tokyo. This hypothetical project has started for the 5-year memorial celebration of the CAST., to project future possibility of the building, the area, our society, and potentially a form of future city. It demonstrates how cities of the future could be structured and operated. The project is based on urban studies in the area of mobility, social welfare, administration, funding, security, sustainability and more.

Shibuya Hyper CAST. 2 translates the best features of vibrant downtown districts into vertical language of ever-growing cities of the future. To show multi-universality of a real city the tower is divided into 5 multiple-floor structural frames representing distinct districts. The spaces between districts are filled with enclosed green zones allowing to grow food regardless of climate conditions.

The building is adapted for coexistence of digital and physical agents. The swarm of digital and physical agents will be eased by Common Ground platform – a digital twin of the building with real-time updates. The cooperation of agents will result in much more efficient vertical communication, that will be divided into multiple elements : human elevators operating in sky lobbies system, drone shafts and digital agents’ elevators.

The key social predictions driving spatial arrangement of Shibuya Hyper CAST. 2 are individualisation, digitalization and shared goods. A gradational, dynamic mix of functions of Shibuya Hyper CAST. 2 is achieved by using an algorithm to find optimal location for all elements and achieve desired dispersion. The spaces are intended to share functions by editing designations of each functional unit on demand.

Shibuya Hyper CAST. 2 is a unique proposal offering wide selection of innovative solutions. It presents a rational approach towards how complex ownership demands can be resolved, and how public-private cooperation might help to improve the quality of dense cities in the future.