Archinect - News

Tokyo Olympic Stadium Entry by MenoMenoPiu Architects & FHF Architectes

2013-03-19T17:53:00-04:00

A little while ago, we reported about Zaha Hadid Architects taking the first prize in the New National Stadium Japan competition and the selection of the 11 finalist projects. Here is now another design proposal for Tokyo's proposed Olympic Stadium which didn't quite make it among the final submissions: "The Twist" by French MenoMenoPiu Architects & FHF Architectes.

JAHN-Designed Japan Post Tower to Open in Tokyo

2013-03-13T13:53:00-04:00

Tokyo has a new skyscraper: the Japan Post Tower, a 38-story high-rise building designed by Helmut Jahn's Chicago firm in collaboration with Mitsubishi Jishu Sekkei, will hold its official grand opening for all commercial space Friday, March 21, 2013.

Tokyo Opens World’s Tallest Tower to About 200,000 People

2012-05-21T17:37:00-04:00

The Tokyo Skytree, twice as tall as the Eiffel Tower, and its surrounding retail and office complex opens today to an estimated 200,000 visitors. [...] Tokyo Skytree, which took four years to build, surpasses the 600-meter Canton Tower in Guangzhou, China, as the world’s tallest, according to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. Dubai’s 828-meter Burj Khalifa is the tallest building, according to the council.

To be precise, the opening ceremony for Tokyo Skytree is scheduled for Tuesday morning, May 22 at 9:15 a.m. local time.

Tokyo’s skyline takes on a foreign flavor

2012-03-09T15:11:00-05:00

Although Japan boasts some of the most highly regarded architects in the world, many of the buildings that define the Tokyo skyline are the work of foreign architects.

Small House by Unemori Architects

2012-02-27T18:30:58-05:00

The “Small House” designed by Unemori Architects, is … small. It’s footprint is only 4 by 4 meters and it is 9 meters high. Apparently a family of three lives is this house in Tokyo.

saf, safdg

Japanese Government Unveils Plan to Build a Backup City for Tokyo

2011-11-02T10:51:48-04:00

"In the same way that we have backup batteries for our cameras and computers, the Japanese government has recently unveiled plans to develop a whole new city that will act as a backup for Tokyo in the event of another crippling earthquake."

Photo-Realistic Model of Tokyo Braces a Highrise Dream

2011-09-28T12:03:05-04:00

A complex scale model of Tokyo is on view by appointment at Tokyo's Mori Tower in Roppongi Hills. The model was built in 2003 by 30 Mori employees over approximately 17 months. All streets and buildings were photographed at street level and from above via helicopter. They were then adjusted in Photoshop and glued to polystyrene models.

From the School Blogs: Arigatou gozaimasu, Mohsen-sama!

2011-08-27T19:25:22-04:00

Due to the overwhelmingly positive response to this semester’s Paris studio offering, we have made plans to continue the Study Abroad Program in Tokyo for the Spring 2012 term. Toyo Ito will instruct the studio, focusing on the tsunami-hit area of Japan.

Little Tokyo Design Week starts today!

2011-07-14T13:19:18-04:00

Little Tokyo Design Week: Future City (LTDW) celebrates the power and energy of cutting edge design and technology now emerging from Japan and its intersection with current trends materializing in Los Angeles. Design’s ability to move us towards a more sustainable and creative urban lifestyle is at the heart of this four-day festival, which will be open to the public from July 14 – July 17, 2011 (VIP Preview Night: 7/13).

If you're in or around Los Angeles from now until Sunday night, and aren't afraid of a little carmaggedon, make sure to come check out the really fun line-up. I'll be presenting at the Pecha Kucha event on Saturday night along with Pecha Kucha founders Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham, local architect Barbara Bestor, and many others that have not yet been announced. Say hi!

Architects talking energy – in Tokyo

2011-07-01T16:29:19-04:00

When I first came to Japan a quarter decade ago, toilets were in unheated spaces, and it was sometimes a shock to sit. About 20 years ago, leaders in the industry came up with a nifty solution: a small heater in the seat. Over time, more and more features were added: massaging and bidet features are common, newer ones have a little air fan for deodorizing,... play music, and light the inside of the bowl. Somewhere along the line, the original reason for the heater itself became less important