Images: Akihisa Hirata Architecture.
This post is about introducing the promising young architect Akihisa Hirata’s way of thinking about architecture. It is one of two posts today examining his work, the other being a built project: The Bloomberg Pavilion.
For the moment Architecture Farm remains speculative. It begins with creating a flowered growth from a coffee cup. This static image illustrates how simple objects can be developed into complex and beautiful forms. A second exercise, illustrated on a video loop, repeats the process with a torus shape taking it further, by adding text to some of the evolved forms, suggesting architectural possibilities. Read more
Photos: Takumi Ota.
The Architecture Foundation in London is hosting an exhibition titled “Tangling” by the young Japanese architect Akihila Hirata. In celebration I thought to explore two of his projects in today’s posts. The Bloomberg pavilion, is the subject of this post. The second is considers the speculative project “Architecture farm”. Read more
Photos: Koji Fujii Nacasa & Partners Inc.
With a site area of only 60 square metres, and a permitted footprint of just 30 square metres, this house at Byobugaura, Yokohama Kanagawa, is small by most standards. It is therefore surprising to see that it has floors that curl up at the edges further reducing the floor area. What was the architect, Takeshi Hosaka’s thinking behind this feature?
In simple terms, with a height and footprint restriction, the only way to increase the floor area to a sufficient level for a family dwelling is by building down. The curved floors allow natural light and air to penetrate the floorplan, particularly at basement level. This move increases the total floor area by a third. Read more
Photos: Koji Fujii Nasasa & Partners Inc.
In architecture schools everywhere, end of year exhibitions are being taken down. Sometimes the work and ideas are consigned to a portfolio for later job interviews, but often the work is unceremoniously dumped for lack of ideas of what to do with it.
Whilst sentimentalists might cremate their unwanted work as a dignified, even ritualized ending to its usefulness, in an office building in Ginza, Tokyo, Takwshi Hosaka Architects set their ideas free! Read more
Photos: Brett Boardman.
The “Australia House” is located in the snowy district of Niigata, about three hours north of Tokyo. The original property was destroyed in the massive earthquake of March 2011. The ruins were adopted by the Australian Embassy in Tokyo who have created this interesting building as a symbol of healing and transformation. Read more
