Category Archives: Architecture

“Kasama no ie” (House in Kasama) was built in 1980, and it is one of the earlier works which made Toyo Ito recognized on the Japanese architecture scene. After over thirty years, the owner decided to donate the building to the city of Kasama, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported. It will be restored to its original state by Ito himself since the condition of the building is deteriorating. They are planning to use the house as a public place such as an art gallery and seminar rooms. Photos from www.toyo-ito.co.jp

Japanese architect Takao Shiotsuka’s latest work is “Cloudy House” located in Oita, Japan. Shiotsuka has built a house which takes full advantage of the strength of the environment, which is the “flow of light and the wind”. Even though it stands out from the rest of the architecture in the area, the color and the structure of the building assimilates into the “cloudy sky”. For more information: http://www.shio-atl.com

Japanese architect Kumiko Inui is well known for work such as “Louis Vuitton Kochi(2003) and “Dior Ginza”(2004), which are characterized by her trademark optical illusions. Over the past a few years, she is taking another approach and working more in the public sector. Shichigahama is a town which was heavily affected by the great earthquake in March 2011, and their schools were completely destroyed. She is currently working to rebuild “Shichigahama Elementary School & Junior High School”. More information at: http://www.inuiuni.com/

Japanese architect Terunobu Fujimori, one of the most distinctive cultural figures in Japan over the past 20 years, shows his approach to archictecture. Via http://www.vam.ac.uk

Interview with Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto by Victoria & Albert Museum. Sou Fujiomoto will install ‘the transparent void of a tree’ on the landing outside the V&A architecture in June. In this film the architect talks about his practice and his V&A project

Ondesign & Partners architect office is an architect studio located in Yokohama, Japan, run by Nishida Osamu. This is their new project titled “House with empty lot” in Fujisawa, Japan, built for their private clients. Check out their other work at www.ondesign.co.jp

Japanese architect Junya Ishigami talked about “the idea of ‘new architecture’ which is transparent and directly connected with nature” in a lecture held at Strelka Institute in Moscow. Lecture Junya Ishigami: on his works and new architecture from Strelka Institute on Vimeo.

To a general public, Nakamura is recognized for works such as the eye-catching Lanvin Boutique in Ginza, Tokyo. He explains his point of departure in designing buildings: “My approach is grounded in a strong physicality that explores the connection between man and architecture”*. His own favourite among his works is Dancing Trees, Singing Birds’ – a house in central Tokyo, constructed in adaptation to the surrounding trees and the natural light. It brings thoughts to Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpiece Fallingwater in its play with nature. *Citation from an interview with Nakamura about the Phaidon publication 10x10_2, a global, up-to-the-minute overview of contemporary architecture that features his work. Dancing Trees, Singing … Continue reading →

Toyo Ito Museum of Architecture was opened on July 30th in Imabari, Ehime. There are two buildings: “Steel hut” and “Silver hut”. “Steel hut” is an exhibition space where Toyo Ito’s work are exhibited, and “Silver hut” is a renovated building where Ito’s drawings are exhibited – which was originally Ito’s private house. The museum will also offer workshops with the aim to educate young architects around the world. Imabari is also well-known as the hometown of the late Kenzo Tange. Toyo Ito museum of architecture