AAF News | Architectural Lecture Series 217: "Architect Toyo Ito on His Creative Philosophy"

AAF Communication│Architecture Lecture Series 217

Architect Toyo Ito on His Artistic Philosophy

The AAF (NPO Art and Architect Festa), dedicated to advancing art and the social environment through architecture, hosts its regular "Architecture Lecture Series 217" every other month at 7 PM. This installment features world-renowned architect Toyo Ito as the guest speaker, taking place on Friday, January 25, 2013, from 7 PM at Honmachi Garden City in Chuo-ku, Osaka.

Text by YANAKA Tomomi

An Architect Connecting Buildings and Society

The "Architecture Lecture Series 217" consistently invites prominent architects for a talk session alongside Osaka-based architects Ryuichi Ashizawa and Takayoshi Hiranuma. This time, the featured speaker is Toyo Ito, a leading Japanese architect who has received numerous accolades, including the Architectural Institute of Japan Prize, the Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale, the Royal Gold Medal from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), and the Praemium Imperiale.

Ito's past projects include the "Sendai Mediatheque," "Tama Art University Library (Hachioji Campus)," and the "Imabari City Ito Toyo Ito Museum of Architecture." Currently, he is involved in projects such as the "Taichung Metropolitan Opera House (Taiwan)," the "National Taiwan University College of Social Sciences," and "Minna no Mori Gifu Media Cosmos (Gifu City)."

Architect Toyo Ito

Taichung Metropolitan Opera House

Following the Great East Japan Earthquake, the "Sendai Mediatheque" was damaged. Ito became involved in its restoration, which led him to actively participate in reconstruction efforts across various regions. The "Minna no Ie" (House for All), proposed by "Kishinkai" (Toyo Ito, Riken Yamamoto, Hiroshi Naito, Kengo Kuma, Kazuyo Sejima), serves as a place of respite for residents in temporary housing. These have already been completed in Sendai City, Kamaishi City (two locations), Higashimatsushima City, and Rikuzentakata City, with plans underway in Higashimatsushima City (second location) and Iwanuma City.

Furthermore, he served as the reconstruction director for Kamaishi City, presenting a reconstruction plan that incorporated the intentions of both the local government and residents. Efforts to bring this vision to fruition are ongoing.

In 2011, he established the private school "Ito Juku," offering courses aimed at nurturing young and talented architects, as well as launching Japan's first continuous architectural school for children. Through these initiatives, he is dedicated to deepening the connection between architecture and society.

We anticipate an engaging talk session unique to the "Architecture Lecture Series 217," where Ito's artistic philosophy as an architect will be explored, drawing out insights from Ashizawa and Hiranuma, along with discussions on his creative methods and approach to architecture.

Architecture Lecture Series 217
Date│Friday, January 25, 2013
Time│Doors Open 18:00, Start 19:00, Reception 20:30–21:30
Guest Speaker│Architect Toyo Ito
Venue│Honmachi Garden City
3-6-4 Honmachi, Chuo-ku, Osaka 541-0053, 1F Hall, The St. Regis Osaka
Registration│Accepted via webpage
217.aaf.ac
Capacity│200 people. A limited number of same-day tickets may be available. Numbered tickets will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 18:00 on the day of the event.
Admission Fee│1000 yen
NPO Art and Architect Festa
www.aaf.ac