Japan Pavilion at the 13th International Architecture Exhibition, the Venice Biennale in 2012: Profiles

Profiles:

【Commissioner】

Toyo Ito / Architect

Born in 1941. Along with architecture projects all around the world, including Japan, Europe, Asia, and the U.S., Ito is engaged in a wide range of activities. His recent works include the Tama Art University Library (Hachioji Campus), the Za-Koenji Public Theatre, and Torres Porta Fira in Spain. Among the many awards he has received are the AIJ Prize for Design, the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice Biennale, the '06 Royal Institute of British Architecture Gold Medal, the Asahi Award, and the Prince Takamatsu World Culture Award.

【Exhibitors】

Kumiko Inui / Architect

Born in Osaka Prefecture in 1969. Graduated from the Architecture and Planning Course in the Faculty of Fine Arts at Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music in 1992. Completed a master's course at the School of Architecture, Yale University in 1996. Worked at Jun Aoki and Associates from 1996 to 2000. Established the Office of Inui Kumiko in 2000. Currently serving as an associate professor at Tokyo University of the Arts. Her important works include the Kataokadai Kindergarten Renovation (2001), Jurgen Lehl Marunouchi (2003), Dior Ginza (2004), Apartment I (2007; recipient of Shin-Kenchiku Prize), Small House H (2009; recipient of Tokyo Society of Architects & Building Engineers Prize), Flower Shop H (2009; recipient of Japan Federation of Architects & Building Engineers Association Prize, and the Good Design Gold Award), and Tasaki Ginza (2010). Her published works include Episodes (INAX, 2008) and Home of Asakusa (Heibonsha, 2011).

Sou Fujimoto / Architect

Born in Hokkaido in 1971. Graduated from the Department of Architecture in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Tokyo. He established Sou Fujimoto Architects in 2000. In 2008, he received the Japan Institute of Architects (JIA) Award and the grand prize in the Private House Division at the World Architectural Festival. In 2010, he received the Spotlight: The Rice Design Alliance Prize. His most important works include the Children's Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation (2006) and the Musashino Art University Museum & Library (2010).

Akihisa Hirata / Architect

Born in Osaka Prefecture in 1971. Graduated from the Department of Architecture in the Faculty of Engineering at Kyoto University in 1994. Completed a master's course at the same university in 1997. After working at Toyo Ito & Associates, he established the Akihisa Hirata Architecture Office in 2005. At present, he is a specially-appointed associate professor at Tohoku University, and a part-time lecturer at Kyoto University, the University of Tokyo, and UCLA. Among the many honors he has received are SD Review's Asakura Award (2004), and the 19th JIA Newcomer's Award (2008). His important works include masuya (2005) and alp (2008). His published works include Contemporary Architect's Concept Series 8: Tangling (INAX, 2011).

Naoya Hatakeyama / Photographer

Photo: Marc Feustel

Born in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture in 1958. Studied with Kiyoji Otsuji in the School of Art and Design at the University of Tsukuba. Completed a master's course at the same university in 1984. Since that time, Hatakeyama has been based in Tokyo, producing series of works that are concerned with people's involvement with nature, the city, and photography. He has participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions both in Japan and abroad. In 2001, he showed his work in the Japan Pavilion at the Venice Biennale along with Masato Nakamura and Yukio Fujimoto (commissioner: Eriko Osaka). An exhibition called Natural Stories, which includes scenes of his hometown of Rikuzentakata following its destruction in the tsunami earlier this year, is currently on view at the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography (until Dec. 4).

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