#design

Tadao Ando: An Architect's Search for New Discoveries

One of the most prolific Japanese architects today, Tadao Ando has designed numerous buildings, each with a uniqueness befitting his very unconventional career. Born in Osaka and originally a professional boxer, Ando was exposed to none of the influences that form the intellectual foundation of so many of his contemporaries in Japan. He trained himself as an architect, and subsequently established Tadao Ando Architect & Associates in 1969. Today he is globally recognized as o

Exploring a Treasure Trove of Architectural Models at the Archi-Depot Museum

This museum has been conceived by Warehouse Terrada, which since 1950 has specialized in the warehouse storage of valuable items including art, wine, and media. As famous Japanese architects came to depend on facilities to store their prized architectural models in controlled environments, Warehouse Terrada had the ingenuity to establish the Archi-Depot Museum in June 2016 to not merely store the works, but display these once hidden gems of architectural history to the public

Mind the Gap...

As I was accompanying an architect on her first visit to Tokyo, she asked me why so many buildings have a perceptible gap at their tops. Since I have been here for a while it is something that I have become rather accustomed too, but as I explained it I realized how much of a uniquely Japanese phenomenon it is that makes quite a mark on the cityscape. Basically in Japan all buildings are subject to very stringent setback regulations to avoid casting too much shadows on thei

Masato Otaka and his Philosophy of PAU

Understand the work of architect Masato Otaka (1923-2010) in meticulous detail through an exhibition highlighting his life's work, Uniting Architecture and Society: The Approach of Otaka Masato. Currently showing at the Agency for Cultural Affairs's National Archives of Modern Architecture in Tokyo, this is an extensive collection of his sketches, plan drawings, and models that have fortuitously been preserved for over a decade. Read more HERE. #society #design #residential #

Published!

Midorino K Residence has been published in ECO LIVING JAPAN. Written by Deanna McDonald, this book features many projects in Japan that focus on sustainable ideas for living green. #design #residential #architecture #japan

Exploring Inside Torafu Architects' Space of Creation

Where to begin? This is probably the first question to ask yourself when you enter the exhibition Torafu Architects Inside Out at TOTO Gallery Ma. Please read more in my review here: http://www.dnp.co.jp/artscape/eng/focus/1611_02.html #architecture #tokyo #japan #design

The "Moving Materials" of Hiroshi Sambuichi's Architecture: Wind, Water, and Sun

I can recommend the current exhibition of Hiroshi Sambuichi's works at TOTO Gallery MA. You can find a brief write-up I did of the show here: http://www.dnp.co.jp/artscape/eng/focus/1605_01.html #architecture #tokyo #japan #design

Rediscovering a Modern Master of Japanese Architecture: Takamasa Yosizaka

National Archives of Modern Architecture exhibition review by AIA Japan Member James Lambiasi AIA. See article featured in artscape Japan HERE. #architecture #tokyo #japan #design

Uncovering the "Living Skills" of Kanazawa Machiya: An Exhibition of Craftsman Techniques

LIXIL Gallery exhibition review by James Lambiasi AIA. See article HERE. #society #craft #design #japan

National Assembly Building of Bangladesh - Part II

During my second trip to Dhaka I had a chance to revisit the Assembly Building, as my first stop was just a few snapshots from the outside. Luckily for us our driver's cousin worked within the complex and we breezed through the security checkpoint without even slowing the car down. After entering we were able to sign up for the standard tour of the interior, and unfortunately photos are not permitted. The stillness, the monumental scale, and the effect of the light streami

Architecture of Muzharul Islam

With my second trip to Dhaka wrapping up today I had a bit of time to go see a building by architect Muzharul Islam. Islam is known as the father of “Bengali modernism” and was one of the most influential architects of South Asia in the 1960s and 70s. In fact it was Islam who was originally commissioned to design the National Assembly Building of Bangladesh, but he deferred this honor and invited his former teacher Louis Kahn to assume the role of master architect. The Fin

National Assembly Building of Bangladesh

OK...one more upload on Bangladesh! At the end of the trip we were able to pass by the National Assembly Building of Bangladesh one more time so I was able to get some nice shots on the lake side. We didn't have the time to take a tour of the inside, but it will leave me something to look forward to next trip. Hopefully will be there again in November... #architecture #design #dhaka #travel

Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College, Dhaka

Nothing could have prepared me for the experience of visiting Louis Kahn's Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College. After seeing so many images of this buildng in textbooks it was indeed an experience to walk through it in person. Not only the large scaled geometric openings, layering of spaces, and framed views, but the overwhelming presence of humanity of the people using it was very moving. A young doctor was very happy to see us visiting the building, and graciously took th

A green retreat in the heart of Ginza...

Standing on the 7th floor of Ginza Uniqlo and curious where the bridge to the neighboring building leads, I was very pleasantly surprised to find a tranquil roof garden including the "Tenku Jinja, " or Shrine in the Sky. Dedicated to the Shinto god of Omiwa Shrine in Nara, and located on the roof of the Komatsu Building, it is open to the public and a great place to take a break and relax. Why the building owner decided to locate a shrine on the building rooftop is an int

What are the recent hot new buildings in Omotesando?

As I prepare for my Fall semester seminar this year I realized that the Omotesando map that I give my students every year has become pretty out of date. If you haven't been there for a while you will find that since last year the design landscape has shifted once again, notably the Apple Store Omotesando by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, the Omotesando Keyaki Building by Norihiko Dan (by Tod's), and across from this the Coach Omotesando flagship store by OMA. Also a bit of a walk