Anonymous Design and the Passat

“What struck me about the Passat was its exceptionally comfortable ride and high fuel efficiency. I was also surprised that a 1.4-liter engine, even with a turbocharger, could effortlessly propel such a large body. The torque is substantial in the low to mid-RPM range, allowing for acceleration from anywhere, and the wide field of vision makes driving feel secure.”

The creator featured this time is architect Rikuo Nishimori. After studying under the world-renowned architect Massimiliano Fuksas, he established his own firm in 1997. In addition to presenting numerous environmentally conscious architectural works, he is the originator of the food event "Cu-cal," held in Karuizawa, Lake Kawaguchi, and Nara, and above all, he is a person with profound knowledge of automobiles.

When asked for his impressions after driving the Passat in urban areas and on the metropolitan expressway, he commented, “I believe this is the car the era demands. It’s not overly distinctive, but that’s precisely what’s needed. It looks good anywhere, for anyone. It’s a car that’s kind to everyone. It’s like a Mac in the world of computers. Considering how design is shifting towards anonymity, this Passat represents a new, international form.” He thus praised the Passat’s design.

Anonymous design signifies that the initiative has shifted from the creator to the user. “It’s a societal need for users to imbue their possessions with their own color. This is also seen in the skeleton-infill approach prevalent in architecture today. By separating the building into structural elements and interior/equipment, it allows for homes that can be lived in for a long time, adaptable to lifestyle changes such as evolving family structures.”

The Shift of the Era and the Environment

However, the path to this point has been long. While the phrase “coexistence with the environment” has been advocated for about 20 years, Nishimori notes that the construction industry, despite accounting for half of CO2 emissions, has failed to implement effective measures. “Fifty or a hundred years from now, will the architecture built then be suitable for the social life that unfolds within it? I don’t think so. It was merely what was most desired at the time. We’ve repeatedly resorted to scrap-and-build, claiming that renovating old buildings incurs too much cost.”

Yet, the times have shifted dramatically. Nishimori believes the cause of this change is the flow of the era, perhaps because many people have grown weary of a society fixated on economic and technological supremacy. There’s an image of wasteful economic activity continuing even as oil resources dwindle. Nishimori considers the environment to be synonymous with a release of tension. “It feels similar to how children don’t study as hard as they used to, or how sharp, edgy things don’t last long.”

What is a Rich Life?

“I believe a rich life is one free from stress.” Nishimori stated that regardless of whether it was the era of clear Cold War ideologies or the present day, periods free from stress are rich periods. He continued, “A car’s role is not merely as a tool for transportation. Driving a car can be a moment of relief, or it can create a rhythm in our lives, providing us with a different kind of energy. In other words, I believe it’s something that orchestrates a rich, stress-free life.”

This is why Nishimori appreciates the Passat’s thoroughly enhanced internal combustion engine efficiency. “If the sole criterion were fuel efficiency, a hybrid might be an option, but the energy gained from driving a car is something I strongly feel with a car like the Passat.” He also senses a similar shift in the technology that makes creating an automobile like the Passat possible, as seen in the field of architecture.

It is also only recently that the field of architecture has been able to produce complex organic designs. With the ease of computer analysis and simulation, it has become possible to create three-dimensional models from two-dimensional drawings. “With the Passat, it’s not just about the design of the form itself; one can sense that the CO2 emissions during manufacturing and the recyclability of parts have all been calculated in its design. This kind of intelligence permeates it.”

The Passat and Architecture: Empowered by the Environment

“From an architectural design perspective, it might seem that our scope of activity is limited because we must now confront the environment. However, we have gained the power of the environment. Therefore, I believe designers should actively utilize this new power. And precisely because so many things have become possible, ideas are now paramount.” This is precisely true for the Passat as well. It has acquired significant power in environmental performance by employing various ideas such as downsizing, DSG, and Blue Motion Technology to address the challenge of the environment.

The new Passat, with its 1.4-liter TSI engine, clears the 2005 emission standards by 75% and achieves the 2010 fuel economy standards plus 25%, qualifying it for eco-car tax reductions (75% tax exemption). Combined with its modern, sharp, and high-quality design and powerful powertrain, it has created an entirely new image of a premium saloon for a new era. It can be considered a vehicle that proposes a way of life for a richer future.

Rikuo Nishimori
Born in 1961. Completed graduate studies at Waseda University. After working at AUR Architects, Urban Planning, Research & Consultants, he established Fragments, a Class-1 Architect Office. Subsequently, as a fellowship artist abroad for the Agency for Cultural Affairs, he worked at Massimiliano FUKSAS Association Roma in Italy before establishing Nishimori Architects in 1997. Currently an Associate Professor at the Department of Architecture and Urban Design, Kogakuin University. Recipient of numerous awards for works such as "Casa Libera," "Toda Orthopedic and Gastrointestinal Clinic," "Omi Residence," and "3COINS Sendai Store." Beyond architectural design, he is also involved in various activities related to food culture, including "cu-cal" in Karuizawa.