THE LIONS

Dentsu and NOIZ proposed a concept to revamp “Lions Mansion,” a brand by Daikyo Corporation, into “THE LIONS.” During a workshop with Daikyo, they developed a concept called “The Continuously Moving Mansion” to meet the theme of “The Ultimate Mansion to Enhance the Value of Life.” They visualized an architectural structure that changes its view from the window, cruising between various ports, creating constant opportunities for diverse encounters and new places to belong, continuously expanding the possibilities of life. The vision was to shift away from the conventional concept of “real estate” towards the idea of a mobile dwelling on the sea.
Unlike traditional mansions fixed on artificial constructs of cities, this design allows the building to move through the vast natural environment of the sea. This creates a sense of “being welcomed into nature.” By moving across the sea, the architecture aims to contribute to the ecosystem, introducing new values. The rooftop is a habitat for migratory birds, while the floating base is an artificial reef, providing a home for marine life. It aims to create a space that nurtures biodiversity on multiple scales, not only for humans but also for various other living beings.
Energy is not just consumed but also generated through wave power technology, allowing the mansion to create energy simply by living on the sea. The design balances the brand’s quality with the sense of being part of nature. From a distance, the structure presents a single awe-inspiring architectural vision. Up close, the façade features a porous design to provide places for various people, birds, microorganisms, and other living things. The rooftop is also designed with lush greenery in mind.
As people live there, the concept creates a “give and take” relationship, where the architecture contributes to both human living and the ecosystem. This could become a new value for 2050. Although it’s a closed space of a floating mansion, it’s designed to create a place for various encounters and places to belong. It features a square-like area with a nursery school and a sports gym to naturally gather people for social interaction. The rooftop serves as a habitat for diverse flora and fauna, allowing various uses like walking, family meals, or simply watching the sunrise, depending on individual preferences.
Moreover, the “SKYLINE” is a long corridor running through the mansion designed to intersect people’s daily lives and maintain health during sea life. It also functions as a running and cycling course, promoting social interaction. With the diversification of lifestyles by 2050, owning a single room can become a constraint, so the concept allows the choice of rooms based on mood and lifestyle. For example, one could spend time in a room filled with books for reading, or in a room with a luxurious bath with a view. Using the network within the mansion, residents can share rooms, providing more diverse options for places to belong.
The proposal aims to move away from traditional “ownership” or “rental” formats by providing shared spaces with the flexibility to choose desired living conditions. Instead of being bound to one architectural structure, residents can freely move and choose where to live through a “docking” system with various ports and unique architectural buildings. Each structure has a unique design yet connects randomly like a tiling pattern, offering flexibility and freedom to move.
Living on the sea might create challenges, like difficulty in meeting relatives or attending school. To address this, the concept introduces a “CONNECTED ROOM.” By sharing spaces and actions, it allows people to access various places. This frees residents from the constraints of a fixed home, enabling freedom to move or choose places to stay. With building-to-building docking and “CONNECTED ROOM,” the proposal aims to free people from traditional living constraints, offering a lifestyle filled with unknown encounters and stories.
DESIGNART TOKYO 2023: October 20 (Fri) – October 29 (Sun) / World Kita-Aoyama Building