Architecture Foundation Presents Akihisa Hirata First Solo Exhibition

Hot on the heels of his Venice Biennale debut and Golden Lion win, emerging Japanese will present his first ever solo exhibition at The Architecture Foundation this autumn. architect Akihisa Hirata presents his first solo international exhibition at The Architecture Foundation this autumn.

Taking the form of a continuous contorted loop, the immersive 1:1 installation filling the AF’s Central London Project Space will demonstrate the essence of Hirata’s architecture. The loop will create Taking the form of a continuous contorted loop, the immersive 1:1 installation filling the AF’s multiple pathways and nooks, whilst layered upon and amongst this structure will be over three Central London Project Space demonstrates the essence of Hirata’s architecture. The loop creates

hundred study models and sketches, an interview with the architect, an ambient soundscape, and multiple pathways and nooks, whilst layered upon and amongst the structure are over three hundred specially commissioned films, illustrating Hirata’s theories of ‘tangling’ in architecture. study models and sketches, an interview with the architect, an ambient soundscape, and speciall commissioned films, illustrating Hirata’s theories of ‘tangling’ in architecture.

Interested in creating simple and elegant geometric solutions that emulate and abstract nature’s millions of years of experience, Hirata sees architecture and ecology as a complex, Interested in creating simple and elegant geometric solutions that emulate and abstract nature’s interwoven tangle – in terms of form, function and the relationship between the artificial and the millions of years of experience, Hirata sees architecture and ecology as a complex, natural. His designs rigorously explore future possibilities for architecture and structure. interwoven tangle – in terms of form, function and the relationship between the artificial and the natural. His designs rigorously explore future possibilities for architecture and structure. Akihisa Hirata said of his work: “The architecture of the future should be linked to the nature of living things. Architecture is the

Akihisa Hirata said of his work: realisation of new horizons that are not only linked to the vast expanse of architectural history, but “The architecture of the future should be linked to the nature of living things. Architecture is the also to the history of the human race and life itself. Considering architecture as a tangle leads us realization of new horizons that are not only linked to the vast expanse of architectural history, but closer to these new horizons and hopes.” also to the history of the human race and life itself. Considering architecture as a tangle leads us closer to these new horizons and hopes.” Founder and Director of the Tokyo-based Akihisa Hirata Architecture Office, Hirata belongs to a new generation of Japanese architects, who demonstrate significant new approaches to architecture and its Founder and Director of the Tokyo-based Akihisa Hirata Architecture Office, Hirata belongs to a new relationship to the natural world, building upon the work of Japan’s previous ‘young generation’ – generation of Japanese architects, who demonstrate significant new approaches to architecture and its Kazuyo Sejima, Shigeru Ban and Jun Aoki. With his work compelling further exposure in the relationship to the natural world, building upon the work of Japan’s previous ‘young generation’ – international arena, Hirata has been chosen by commissioner Toyo Ito to exhibit within the Kazuyo Sejima, Shigeru Ban and Jun Aoki. With his work compelling further exposure in the Japanese Pavilion at the 13th Venice Architecture Biennale alongside Kumiko Inui and Sou international arena, Hirata was chosen by commissioner Toyo Ito to exhibit within the Japanese Fujimoto. Hirata’s impressive portfolio of work also includes the celebrated ‘Bloomberg Pavilion’ Pavilion at the 13th Venice Architecture Biennale alongside Kumiko Inui and Sou Fujimoto, for the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, and Photosynthesis, a solar-powered installation where the team won the Golden Lion for best international pavilion. Hirata’s impressive produced for Panasonic and unveiled during Milan Design Week 2012. portfolio of work also includes the award winning Bloomberg Pavilion for the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, and Photosynthesis, a solar-powered installation produced for The Architecture Foundation, in partnership with Japanese curator Naomi Shibata, is delighted to be Panasonic and unveiled during Milan Design Week 2012. providing a unique opportunity for an international audience to experience the work of this pioneering young architect as the AF’s major contribution to the London Design Festival 2012. The Architecture Foundation, in partnership with Japanese curator Naomi Shibata, is delighted to be providing a unique opportunity for an international audience to experience the work of this pioneering In addition, a special public lecture by Akihisa Hirata has been programmed in response the

young architect as the AF’s major contribution to the London Design Festival 2012. exhibition and will take place on Tuesday 18 September at the Bloomberg Auditorium. In addition, a special public lecture by Akihisa Hirata has been programmed in response the Akihisa Hirata: Tangling has been made possible by the generous support of the following exhibition and will take place on Tuesday 18 September at the Bloomberg Auditorium. organisations:

About The Architecture Foundation

Founded in 1991 as the UK’s first independent architecture centre, The Architecture Foundation is a “The architecture of the future should be linked to the nature of living things. Architecture is the non-profit agency for contemporary architecture, urbanism and culture. We cultivate new talent and realisation of new horizons that are not only linked to the vast expanse of architectural history, but
new ideas. Through our diverse programmes we facilitate international and interdisciplinary exchange, also to the history of the human race and life itself. Considering architecture as a tangle leads us stimulate critical engagement amongst professionals, policy makers and a broad public, and shape the closer to these new horizons and hopes.” quality of the built environment. We are independent, agile, inclusive and influential. Central to our activities is the belief that architecture enriches lives. Founder and Director of the Tokyo-based Akihisa Hirata Architecture Office, Hirata belongs to a new www.architecturefoundation.org.uk generation of Japanese architects, who demonstrate significant new approaches to architecture and its relationship to the natural world, building upon the work of Japan’s previous ‘young generation’ –

About Akihisa Hirata

Kazuyo Sejima, Shigeru Ban and Jun Aoki. With his work compelling further exposure in the Akihisa Hirata (born 1971) is a highly regarded Tokyo-based architect working on projects both in Japan international arena, Hirata has been chosen by commissioner Toyo Ito to exhibit within the
and abroad. Following studies at Kyoto University Graduate School, Hirata worked for architect Toyo Ito Japanese Pavilion at the 13th Venice Architecture Biennale alongside Kumiko Inui and Sou & Associates (1997-2005), before establishing Akihisa Hirata Architecture Office (2005). Realising Fujimoto. Hirata’s impressive portfolio of work also includes the celebrated ‘Bloomberg Pavilion’ commercial buildings, housing, and individual homes in Japan, Hirata’s accolades include the SD Review or the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, and Photosynthesis, a solar-powered installation Asakura Award (2004), Japan Institute of Architects New Face Award (2008) and ELLE DECO Young produced for Panasonic and unveiled during Milan Design Week 2012. Japanese Design Talent (2009). His publications include, INAX Contemporary Architect Concept Series

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