#tokyo

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

Architect Shigeru Ban: Investigating Material, Discovering New Potential

Read my article HERE on the current exhibition at TOTO Gallery Ma, Shigeru Ban: Projects in Progress #society #tokyo #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

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

Inside Nakagin Capsule Tower

I recently had the great opportunity to take a look inside the Nakagin Capsule Tower apartment building, the icon of Japanese Metabolism that was completed in 1972 and designed by Kisho Kurokawa. A friend of mine knows the person renting out a capsule room on Airbnb.com, and graciously let me have a look when it was vacant between guests. By the way, if you are interested in staying the night in the room you can find it listed here. Masato, the fellow who rents out the room

That funny blue light...

They were discussed a lot in 2009 when they were first installed, but since then many people new to Tokyo may be a bit perplexed by the funny blue LED light found on many JR platforms. They were actually installed in order to help stem the terrible suicide rate prevelent in Japan, the theory being the that the calming effect of the blue light will soothe peoples nerves and help disuade them from suicidal thoughts. The really interesting thing about this project is that ther