Terrazza (Pacific House) on Aoyama dori by Kiyoshi Sey Takeyama (竹山聖), 1991

La Terrazza

Despite that massive use of concrete walls. This project was odd but elegant, like a modern castle. There is also a voice dedicated to the Architect on wikipedia. Here is the official firm website, called now amorphe. It is plenty of interesting designs.

Here the exact link on Aoyama Dori I guess. It is worth mentioning that I am following an University class about Tokyo`s development History after Worl War II. Thanks to that class I learnt that Aoyama Dori was a very commercial neighbourhood for wealthy people. Ten it became after the 64 just a street connecting Shibuya (at that time a new trendy area) with ghe evergreen Ginza.

Terrazza

And some more shots. And a video can be seen on youtube here.

A short biography about him can be read in japanese here. And my guess is now teaching at some Universities like the Kyoto University graduate school for Engineers.

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Doric, ドーリック, 1991, by K. Kuma (隈研吾)

Doric is from the previous ‘era’ when Kuma was mixing styles, calling that postmodernism. This article is telling very well his aim and the history of his early works.

Nowadays they seems utterly awkward indeed. He was not working that much with the materials yet. According to the interview in the 24 architects book, he switched his career after contacting a wood master, from whom he learned how to deal with the wood.

There is also a video on youtube that lasts 1’33 dedicated entirely to this building.

The good thing is that the street, Aoyama dori, is plenty of nice architecture. You will be amused by a walk there.

HEre the exact location.

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