Architectural Night School 2012: The Capital of the 21st Century

In the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake, the very nature of the capital city is being questioned. How will Tokyo fulfill its functions as the capital in the event of a major disaster? How will Japan change if the Osaka Metropolis Plan is realized? Over the past few years, the relationship between architects and the state has been under review within the architectural community.

This event centers on the broad theme of "The Capital of the 21st Century." The first night, on Thursday, October 4th, will discuss "Grand Visions for the Capital and Regions," while the second night, on Thursday, October 11th, will explore "Discourses on the Capital of the 21st Century." Through these two nights of discussion, we will consider the future of the capital, and through it, the future of the nation, cities, and architecture.


Night 1: "Grand Visions for the Capital and Regions"
Date & Time: Thursday, October 4, 2012, 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM (Doors open 5:30 PM)
Panelist: Hajime Yasutsuka (Architect, Professor at Shibaura Institute of Technology)
Masayuki Sasaki (Professor, Osaka City University; Director, Urban Research Plaza, Osaka City University)
Shohei Shigematsu (Architect, Partner at OMA)
Commentator: Naohiko Hino (Architect, Principal of Naohiko Hino Architects)
Moderator: Tatsu Matsuda (Architect, Assistant Professor at The University of Tokyo)

Night 2: "Discourses on the Capital of the 21st Century"
Date & Time: Thursday, October 11, 2012, 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM (Doors open 5:30 PM)
Panelist: Shin Isozaki (Architect, Representative of Arata Isozaki & Associates)
Takashi Mikuriya (Political Scientist, Professor at The Open University of Japan)
Hiroshi Ota (Lecturer, Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo)
Commentator: Kozo Kadowaki (Full-time Lecturer at Meiji University)
Moderator: Tatsu Matsuda (As above)

Venue: Architectural Hall (5-26-20 Shiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo)
Capacity: 300 people (first-come, first-served on the day)
Admission Fee: Free
Organizer: Architectural Institute of Japan
Supporters (Planned): The Japan Institute of Architects, The National Federation of Japan Architects & Building Engineers Associations, The Association of Japan Architectural Offices, The Japan Civil Constructors' Federation
Sponsors: Obayashi Corporation, Kajima Corporation, Shimizu Corporation, Taisei Corporation, Takenaka Corporation, Tokyo Gas, Toda Corporation, Nikken Sekkei, Nissin Kogyo, Nihon Sekkei, Mitsubishi Jisho Sekkei
Inquiries: Architectural Institute of Japan, Secretariat, Publication & Promotion Group, Ms. Mishima
Tel. 03-3456-2056 | E-mail: mishima@aij.or.jp
http://www.kenchiku.co.jp/bunka2012/

Related Exhibition: "The Capital of the 21st Century"