Category Archives: Architecture

Shonai Hotel Suiden Terrasse by Shigeru Ban

Shonai Hotel Suiden Terrasse is located in Shonai, Yamagata, about one hour flight from Haneda, Tokyo, and the hotel is situated only twenty minutes away by car from the Shonai airport. It was designed by Shigeru Ban, and this is the first hotel that he has ever designed. The concept is “Wooden structure hotel floating on rice fields”. https://suiden-terrasse.yamagata-design.com

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YUFUiNFO by Shigeru Ban

Tourist information center “YUFUiNFO” designed by Shigeru Ban was built next to Yufuin Station in Oita, Japan. Yufuin train station was designed by architect Arata Isozaki, who is originally from Oita, Japan. Ban was asked to design something that keeps the continuity with the symbolic design of Arata Isozaki. Ban’s design was inspired by papyrus columns in ancient Egypt.

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YUNOEKI OYU by Kengo Kuma & Associates

Kengo Kuma & Associates designed “Yunoeki Oyu” in Kazuno, Akita. Press release: Oyu onsen is a famous hot spring in Kazuno, Akita. We designed a community center here incorporating a shop, café, open-air theater, park, footbath, and biotope under one large roof. In order to create a dynamic space which varies according to the diverse programs, we referred to mage wappa, a round lunch basket made of thin wood, a traditional craft in Akita’s. Cylinders of LVL (laminated veneer lumber) reference mage wappa and comprise the structure of the building. The assemblage of those rings then functions not only as a transparent structure but also as a partition or a … Continue reading

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Kengo Kuma’s V&A museum construction update

The full scale of the V&A museum of design, dundee has been revealed for the first time. The project started in March 2015, and it is expected to be completed by 2018. (via designboom.com)

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SANAA’s port terminal building for Naoshima island

SANAA has built a passenger terminal shaped like bubbles for a port on the Japanese island of Naoshima, well-known for its contemporary art scene. It is composed of 13 large plastic balls which are illuminated at night. SANAA has also built “Marine Station Naoshima” on the same island. A bike parking pavilion designed by Sanna Architects at Naoshima Island. Constructed using Timber and Fibreglass. Interesting Artwork which catches the eye since it glows while the sun sets. #japan #architecture #naoshima #interesting #strange #timbre #fibreglass #joinery Sumeet Joshiさん(@sumeetjoshi08)がシェアした投稿 – 2017 8月 20 5:26午後 PDT

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The Cisterns x Sambuichi – The Water

Japanese architect Hiroshi Sambuichi modifies the monumental underground space at Cisterns in Copenhagen and created the space where natural elements meet the surrounding areas and his architectural creative skills. The exhibition is part of the official celebration in 2017 of the 150th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Denmark and Japan.

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Akane Moriyama’s curtain for Hirakata T-SITE

Textile designer Akane Moriyama designed three eight-meter high curtains for “T-Site”, a commercial complex near Osaka, Japan. Curtain for Hirakata T-SITE from AMS on Vimeo.

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“Hotel apartment” by Ryohei Tanaka

G architects studio’s Ryohei Tanaka designed a “hotel apartment” in Azabujuban, Tokyo. Here are the texts from the architect studio. Concept: This unique apartment is located in the very heart of Tokyo, inside a low-rise apartment complex, one block from a major highway. The client had been searching for a convenient location in central Tokyo and found this thirty-seven year old apartment located in the attic of the building complete with long, sloping ceilings and a raw interior. The sloped ceilings have been converted into a skylight allowing in natural sunlight with a wonderful unobstructed view of the city. Since this apartment is to be used for accommodation purposes, we … Continue reading

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Petition against Zaha Hadid’s Tokyo Olympic Stadium

Pritzker lauretes Toyo Ito and Fumihiko Maki have launched a petition against the construction of new Tokyo Olympic Stadium, which is to be designed by Zaha Hadid. It was originally initiated by a renowned anthropologist Shin-ichi Nakazawa, and Toyo Ito and Fumihiko Maki have joined the protest. They have pointed out the fact that 1) the selection process is unclear, 2) the construction process is unclear, 3) the excessive cost, and 4) neglecting the historic environment. Ito and Maki have proposed an alternative plan which is to renovate the existing stadium. The cost of the renovation is estimated to be less than half the cost of building the Olympic stadium.

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Sou Fujimoto Sketchbook

In his personal sketchbook Sou Fujimoto offers insights into his design process. Through the sketches, drawings, and notes readers can trace how his complex concepts are made manifest and develop on paper. SOU FUJIMOTO, born in Hokkaido, Japan, in 1971, established his architectural practice Sou Fujimoto Architects in 2000. In 2008, he was World Architecture Festival winner in the Private House category, and was awarded a RIBA International Fellowship in 2012. Recently he completed the new library and museum for the Musashino Art University in Tokyo. Available at Japanese design shop.

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