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The inclusion of the Arts Center and Museum in the Roppongi
Hills development testifies to art's newfound viability as
an economic amenity - albeit not as surefire as typical retail
- and its increased popularity for tourists and residents
alike. Also, with contemporary sculpture sited in the development
the evident devotion to art is refreshing, regardless of any
of the development's shortcomings, including its overly capitalistic
emphasis and "anywhere" design - traits that are
the unfortunate norm around the world in developer-driven
projects featuring international architects. Gluckman Mayner's
intervention provides a simple, yet elegant setting for the
art, much like most of the firm's body of work and its focus
on spaces for art. In their entry pavilion, though, they created
a unique structure that both signals the Art Center's presence
and its contrast to the rest of the Roppongi Hills development.
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