Palaceside Building was introduced on Tokyo Metropolitan Television (TOKYO MX) program "Goji ni Muchu!" on Oct. 20.
In the information show hosted by Ryo Fukawa, the segment "Tsuiseki Best 8" asked "How to enjoy a stylish building?" and introduced several buildings. Palaceside Building appeared first, right at the start.
Nobuko Suzuki, who writes and edits on cities, architecture and railways, served as guide. Reporter Jonathan (a Taiwan-born, Gunma-raised model and talent) toured the building with her. Filming took place on the afternoon of the 17th, unfortunately in the rain.
Let us follow the program in order.
The two first appeared in front of the building's west entrance. Under "Point 1: design that transcends time," they introduced the white cores (elevator towers) on the east and west and the west entrance canopy (nicknamed the "umbrella"). Suzuki commented, "Even after 50 years the design has not aged at all; it still looks wonderful." The elevator hall was also shown, with a caption calling it "design like a space station."
After touring the Dream Stairs and noting the building's selection among "20 modernist buildings," they moved to the east main entrance. Under "Point 2: a symbol of postwar Japan," captions described "a broad marble staircase that welcomes 20,000 visitors (a day)" and "a sense of weight being staged." Suzuki and Jonathan came down the stairs and headed toward the Imperial Palace in front.
Finally, the rooftop. The photos above and at right are the screen , and the one at left is the filming scene.
As "the first rooftop garden greened on a Japanese office building," the two talked briefly in front of a guide board showing the positions of Tokyo Tower and other landmarks, then the view of the Imperial Palace and surroundings was shown. The Palaceside Building segment ended and they moved to the next building.
We did not time it precisely, but the segment lasted about four minutes.
From start to finish it was such unreserved praise that it felt a little embarrassing. Thank you, MX Television.