Toyota has revealed the first phase of its innovative Woven City project, located near the base of Mount Fuji in Japan. Designed by Japanese studio Nikken Sekkei, in collaboration with Danish studio BIG, the project is being built on the former site of Toyota Motor East Japan’s Higashi-Fuji Plant in Susono City.
The concept for Woven City was created by architecture studio BIG, led by Bjarke Ingels. “Connected, autonomous, emission-free and shared mobility solutions are bound to unleash a world of opportunities for new forms of urban life,” said Bjarke Ingels, Founder, BIG. “With the breadth of technologies and industries that we have been able to access and collaborate with from the Toyota ecosystem of companies, we believe we have a unique opportunity to explore new forms of urbanity with the Woven City that could pave new paths for other cities to explore.”
The city, which spans 70 hectares, will feature a mix of housing, business, and retail spaces, and is projected to eventually house 2,000 people. The first phase, which has been completed, will accommodate 360 people, with approximately 100 residents expected to move in by autumn 2025.
The city’s design features staggered wooden buildings flanking a central square, surrounded by a road. The buildings, primarily made of wood, feature solar panels on their roofs, while apartments have been designed to provide residents with access to planted terraces.
Residents of Woven City will have the opportunity to test vehicles and products from various companies, including Toyota and its Woven by Toyota brand. Other companies that have partnered with Toyota for the project include Nissin Food Products, which will create “food environments to inspire new food cultures,” and Daikin, which will test “pollen-free spaces” in the city.
The city’s roads will be divided into three sections: one for autonomous vehicles, including the Toyota e-Palette; one for bicycles, scooters, and other personal modes of transport; and a “linear park” dedicated to pedestrians and plants.
Image Courtesy: dezeen.com
