Parallel Nippon / Parallel Connections

On Saturday April 13th, Yoshi has participated in Parallel Connections - a panel discussion as part of the Parallel Nippon Exhibition.

 

On Saturday, the hour-long panel discussion was taking place between the 4 panelists:
Andrew Burns, Koichi Takada, Yoshihito Kashiwagi and Peter Stutchbury.
The hour felt short.
I guess there are many topics left unexplored due to time restriction, such as role of "nature" in architectural design, and its difference between cultures, which I am always personally keen about.
It is such a rare chance though, for the wider community to have exposure to these kind of architectural discussions.

At panel discussion: from left
Andrew Burns, Koichi Takada, Yoshihito Kashiwagi, Peter Stutchbury

Full house at Parallel Connections when waiting for start

After the panel discussion... say "cheese!" guys!

Here is an extract from the official website on what is Parallel Nippon:

Parallel Nippon contains 100+ large-scale photo panels of landmark designs, architectural models and video footage. The exhibition is divided into four thematic sections: Urban, Life, Culture and Living, a cross-sectional view of Japanese society. These areas represent the revolutionary, innovative and progressive architectural achievements realised not only in Japan but across the world as projects of Japanese architects. Due to the large scale of the exhibition, it will be divided and presented into two parts.

With a specific focus on the decade of 1996 – 2006, Parallel Nippon is a collection of creative architectural solutions that reflect the social and cultural context of contemporary Japan. During the mid-1990s, Japan faced an economic recession. There was an escalation in urban migration, birth-rate was on the decline and an aging population was on the rise, transforming the standard family structure. This period became commonly known as Japan’s transition from the ‘bubble’ to ‘post bubble’ period. Faced with the rapidly changing landscape, a new generation of architects were forced to re-evaluate their approach to design from an ‘expanding city’ model to a ‘continuous city’ outlook. Their quest led to radical results and creative possibilities for the new era and beyond.

The exhibition has been travelling internationally; it will travel to other parts of Australia later this year.

Parallel Nippon Exhibition is on at Japan Foundation Gallery, L1 Chifley Plaza, until May 1st.

To find out more, please enter HERE.

Arty Sydney - Anish Kapoor Exhibition

Anish Kapoor exhibition is closing April 1st!
Have you been?
You must!

The exhibition is part of the Sydney International Art Series, an initiative that brings the world's most outstanding exhibitions to Sydney supported by the NSW Government through Destination NSW.

I am so glad that I was able to catch the exhibition in time.
There are such extremity in his work that creates incomparable tension and power, and with perfect execution the experience of being with his work is amazing.
Simply amazing.

Here are some works I took photos of... but you know, there really are worlds which can not be recorded with photographs.

SKY MIRROR
In the drizzling rain it takes on a different look to that of its normal image... taking in a piece of the sky on to our earthly realm.

MY RED HOMELAND
The sight of it sent cold chill down my spine.  It is a 12m diameter circle of 25tons paraffin wax in bright red colour, its texture similar to that of flesh.  The savageness in the rotating blade's slow motion cuts repeatedly into the sculpture, as if to cut open a wound so it would never heal...

Distorted self and surrounding motion with this huge dish made of hundreds of brilliant mirror pieces

S-CURVE
Our perception of the world is largely determined by what we can see - apparently 90% of information comes to us through our eyes.  So our perception of the world becomes unnervingly wide when we see things we are not supposedly able to see in the reflection...knowing more is not always comforting.

S-CURVE
Where the mirror concave and convex curves meet.
The reflections merge into a point, everything seemed to come out from that point or disappear into that point, as if it is an imaginary blackhole.
Our everyday becomes his work of art.

WHEN I AM PREGNANT
The white wall forms a soft sensuous lump, as if it is part of a living creature.
This kind of softness is so extreme yet completely at one with the rest of Kapoor's work... must be magic.

SKY MIRROR (REAR)
I found myself looking at myself, from a Godly perspective.
it is unnerving, but comforting... by knowing your own anonymity there is a sense of comfort I guess.... 

Art where least expected

It is a funny feeling when a project goes into construction.
All the things in our head starting to take shape in the physical world, ah the joy of creation...
Here we have just started roughing in the services for Blu Creativity, like an Entree served before the Main course.
After a 3 months design period, I am finding emotional attachment to the construction site, that everything started to look beautiful to me.

copper parts the plumbers use to connect pipe works
(entirely different medium, but the scattered composition and materiality kind of reminded me of Jasper Johns and Rosalyn Gascoigne....) 

rolls of cables electricians use to provide power, like single line drawings on the floor

electrician bringing in power through existing overhead tracks

plumbers and pipes...
(a bit of compositional influence from Jeffrey Smart)

A bit more on other projects....

Rounding up some recent publications....

Hospitality:

Powerful imagery of Uchi Lounge has a strong presence in WORKshop issue 08.

Nice to read in the blog of our structural engineer for Uchi Lounge: "...It is interesting how tight budgets and great architects drive great engineering."

I guess true creativity spark when being confined by restrictions...

 Cover of WORKshop issue 08

Watermoon is published by Chinese publishing house Sandu (available via PageOne) in "Taste It! - Innovative Restaurant Interiors".

It is also published by German publishing house Gestalten in "Let's Go Out! - Interiors and Architecture for Restaurants and Bars".

Watermoon was completed in 2010 May.

In the retail / hospitality world, where fitouts require constant renewal, Watermoon is considered an "old project".  Yet it continues to be picked up by publishing houses and gathering attention.  I think this says something about our consistent attitude towards architecture (permanence) and interior (transience).

Cover of "Taste it!"

Cover of "Let's Go Out!"

Retail:

Sneakerology and Streetology continue to gather attention after their completion in 2010 / 2011.  The design took place in 2009.

Again, they should be considered "old projects"....but still looking refreshing and stunning (hopefully I am allowed to say that myself...).

We consider longevity of design = ultimate sustainability 

"Brand Spaces - Branded Architecture and the Future of Retail Design" published by Gestalten (Germany)

  

  

Retail Design International Vol 74 No 5 (US)

Doshisha announced competition result ...in English at last!

Finally!
After 6 weeks, the competition result is now announced in English!

Have a look of what Yoshi's presentation was about (briefly), and check out the other shortlisted projects HERE.

....familier face on the bottom left corner.....

Dinner with the powerfuls

We were invited to dinner by our client, who is visiting Sydney from overseas for the month.
Considering that Chinese New Year has just past, I thought it would be a slightly more formal dinner, but not so extravagant..... until we have arrived at the restaurant, which was surrounded by these bodyguards wearing earphones, looking like they have just stepped out of the Hollywood movies.

So the special guest of the night was......Prime Minister of Australia, Julia Gillard, together with many Ministers and members of the Parliament..... celebrating Chinese New Year.....
It is evident that the Chinese community holds a strong position here in Australia.

 Prime Minister of Australia - Julia Gillard

Australia also holds a special position in Asia - being so close geographically (still part of Asia Pacific), yet culturally very different.  This creates an interesting tension, and in a way enriches the cultural cross-fertilisation.

We somehow benefitted from this tension; having offices in both Australia and Japan enabled us to stay in a objective position when designing, rather than robbed into preconceptions formed by unintentional habits when being "overly comfortable" at one place.

Anyhow.  After the initial shock, we proceeded onto a pleasant and delicious dinner party.
It was a very interesting and special experience.

from left to right:
Maki from our office (as Yoshi is overseas), Olivia (me), David (client)

Doshisha on Australian Design Review

Facet Studio's winning scheme for Doshisha Chapel Complex is announced on Australian Design Review!

Check out the article HERE.

 

Doshisha University - Jury Presentation at Kyoto

Simple Q&A on Doshisha University Chapel Complex Competition...extract from the competition official site:

What is the Doshisha University?

Doshisha University is an educational institution founded on Christian morals and values. The school, originally the Doshisha English Academy, was established in 1875 by Joseph Hardy Neesima (Nijima Jo). Our Kyotanabe campus, located in Kyoto, gathers departments related to science and engineering, and those whose aim is the integration of arts and science. The campus is positioned as a center for an integrated education, valuing “experiment, practice, and fieldwork”, as well as an international center for advanced research, focused on “body and life, advanced technologies, and information”.

What is the Doshisha University Chapel Complex Competition about?

Currently, we plan to construct a new chapel with an expansion of the existing facilities for the Center for Christian Culture, an organization that promotes the school’s Christian education. The school owns nationally significant cultural properties on Imadegawa campus dating back to the late 1800s. This chapel too, is expected to symbolize the Christian education provided at Kyotanabe campus and valued by students, alumni and staff members.

What is the reason for the Doshisha University Chapel Complex Competition?

Selecting a designer for these religious facilities on a proposal basis.

Who were in the Judging Committee?

Eiji Hatta (Doshisya University, President)
Takashi Matsuoka (Doshisya University, Vice President)
Makoto Mizutani (Doshisya School of Theology, Department Head)
Makoto Hara (Doshisya University Center for Christian Culture, Director)
Technical Advisors
Taro Ashihara (Taro Ashihara Architects)
Waro Kishi (University of Kyoto, Professor)
Toshihito Yokouchi (Kyoto University of Art and Design, Professor)
Professional coordinator:
Shozo Baba (Institute of Information Systems Architecture, Director)

When  was the submission deadline?

2012 November 30

How many submissions were made? and From where?

The application number total 379, submission from around the world were received.

Brief description of the Judging process?

There were 5 submissions selected in the shortlist.  The shortlisted submissions were presented to the Judging panel in Doshisha University's Kyoto Imadegawa Campus, on 2013 February 03.  Final results were announced the same day.  Facet Studio was announced the winner of the Competition.

.........So what happened at the Jury Presentation for Doshisha University's Chapel Complex Competition?

Facet Studio was the 4th to present on the day of Jury Presentation; this presentation order seemed to be decided by pulling numbers out of a hat...  We have sent in Yoshi as the spokes person on our behalf, sending him our love and support from Sydney...

 

Other shortlisted presenters seemed to have made modifications to the presentation materials, we have decided not to change our submitted panel and talked from there.  There was a 10-minute plain talking presentation focusing on the philosophy behind our scheme; although this presentation style was quite different from the other presenters, it was a bit of gamble.

 

After the 5th (last) presentation, there was a discussion period of 1.5 hours amongst the Judging Committee.
It was then announced "The selected winning scheme is... from facet Studio!"

 

Yoshi was completed overwhelmed... according to him, he could hardly comprehend what exactly has just happened.
He was then requested to go up to the stage.

 

 

He received the Certificate of winning, and catalog of the competition.

 

He was then asked to say a few words about the winning.... all his talking capacity went into the presentation, and found himself short of words..
Lastly was the photo with Judging Committee, and the shortlisted presenters.
Again, he could do with some practice on smiling as well...

(Front row from left: Doshisha University Center for Christian Culture Director, Head of Theology Department, Vice President, President, Yoshi, Architect Taro Ashihara, Waro Kishi, and Toshihito Yokouchi)

Doshisha University Official Announcement

Now the Doshisha University website is updated with the competition winning announcement and top 5 design schemes, check it out HERE!

Unfortunately only the Japanese site is updated, but it is obvious that the 5 images there are the schemes..
Despite the spelling mistake in my name (Yoshi's name was spelt wrong when finalists were announced... I guess this is only fair...), I am over the moon!

Here is our scheme.. the winning scheme.... woohoo~

click to enlarge

There were 856 registrations, and 379 submissions from around the world made for the competition.
5 schemes were selected as finalists, and were presented to jury panel on February 3rd at Doshisha University Imadegawa Campus, Kyoto.

Winner announced for Doshisha Chapel competition!

Facet Studio has won the Doshisha University's Chapel Complex Design Competition!

This was freshly announced yesterday (Feb 3rd) after the verbal presentation and Q&A session with jury panel at Kyoto, we even beat it to the official website to announce the result!

Looks like we are off to a brilliant start for 2013.
Together with quite a few projects across a wide spectrum of variety, we are surely going for a busy busy year - all for a good reason of course.

I will try to elaborate on the winning scheme soon!

Find out more on the Doshisha competition scheme HERE