toyo ito
toyo ito is one of the world's most innovative and influential architects. ito is known for creating extreme concept buildings, in which he seeks to fuse the physical and virtual worlds. he is a leading exponent of architecture that addresses issues of the contemporary 'simulated' city.
born in japan in 1941, ito graduated from tokyo university, department of architecture in 1965. after a brief stint in kiyonori kikutake architect and associate, he started his own studio, 'urban robot' (urbot) in tokyo, 1971. its name was changed to toyo ito & associates, architects in 1979.
with his domestic constructions 'white U' in 1976 and 'silver hut' in 1984 he created the basis for new concepts of life in centres of population. he developed a vision of mobile large city communities with the pao projects 'a dwelling for tokyo nomad woman' in1985. 'tower of winds' in yokohama in 1986 and 'egg of winds' in 1991 are interactive landmarks in the public domain as the result of creative confrontation with the technical possibilities which the future will bring. more of his important works: yatsushiro municipal museum, 1991, old people`s home in yatsushiro, 1994, and his most recent project: on 26th january, 2001, in the city of sendai, japan, the unique multi-purpose public cultural centre, sendai mediatheque, was opened to much acclaim. this stunning complex accommodates a mixed program of library, art gallery, audio-visual library, film studio and café. it was a competition winning scheme chosen from amongst 235 competing proposals.
he has served as guest professor at columbia university and is an honorary professor at the university of north london. he has won many awards including the architecture institute of japan award for 'silver hut' in 1986, 33rd mainrich art award for yatsushiro municipal museum in 1992, AA 'interach ¡®97' grand prix of the union of architects in bulgaria, gold medal in 1997, education minister¡¯s art encouragement prize in japan in 1998, the arnold w. brunner memorial prize in architecture from the american academy of arts and letters in 2000 and the gold prize of the japanese good design award in 2001.
his work has been exhibited widely, ranging from 'vision of japan' at victoria and albert museum, london in 1991, 'vision and reality' at louisiana museum of modern art 2000 to the travelling exhibition 'blurring architecture' (tokyo, antwerp, auckland in 1999-2000)
and most recently the very beautiful exhibition, design by toyo ito |