Toyo Ito

Toyo Ito (1941-) is a Japanese architect known for creating extremely conceptual architecture, in which he seeks to simultaneously express the physical and virtual "worlds". He is a leading exponent of architecture that addresses the contemporary notion of a "simulated" city. considered "one of the world’s most innovative and influential architects."

Ito was born in Seoul, South Korea (at the time, Japan had colonized the country). Ito graduated from Tokyo University’s Department of Architecture in 1965.

After working for Kiyonori Kikutake Architect and Associates from 1965 to 1969, in 1971 he started his own studio in Tokyo, named Urbot ("Urban Robot"). In 1979, the studio name was changed to Toyo Ito & Associates, Architects. Throughout his early career Ito constructed numerous private house projects that expressed aspects of urban life in Japan. His most remarkable early conceptual contributions were made through projects of this scale. See White U (1976) and Silver Hut (1984).

With the Pao for the Tokyo Nomad Girl projects in 1985 and 1989, Ito presented a vision of the life of an Urban Nomad, illustrating human life during the bubble economy period in Japan.

Tower of Winds (1986) and Egg of Winds (1991) are interactive landmarks in public spaces, resulting from a creative confrontation with contemporary technical possibilities.

Toyo Ito is known for helping to raise talented architects in the younger generation. Architects who worked for his office include Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa (SANAA), Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham (KDa), Katsuya Fukushima, Makoto Yokomizo, and Akihisa Hirata.

Other Information

• Name : Toyo Ito
• Nationality : Japanese
• Birth date : 1941
• Birth place : Seoul, South Korea
• Education : Tokyo University’s Department of Architecture (1965)
• Firm : Toyo Ito & Associates, Architects

Notable Projects

• 1991 – Yatsushiro Municipal Museum
• 1994 – Old People’s Home in Yatsushiro
• January 26, 2001 – A "unique multi-purpose public cultural centre" in the city of Sendai, Sendai Mediatheque: 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. Sendai Mediatheque (Actar, Barcelona)
• 2002 – Commissioned to design a temporary pavilion adjacent to the Serpentine Gallery, in Hyde Park, London
• 2002 – Bruges pavilion
• 2004 Matsumoto Performing Art Center, Matsumoto
• 2004 TOD’s Omotesando Building, Tokyo
• 2006 First Prize "Taichung Opera International Competition" in Taiwan
• 2006 VivoCity Singapore at HarbourFront
• 2008 World Games Stadium in Kaohsiung, Taiwan
• 2008 Villa for Chilean architectural project Ochoalcubo
• 2009 Suites Avenue Building, Barcelona, Spain
• 2009 Water Fountain in Pescara
• 2009 Torre Fira BCN Building, Barcelona, Spain

Awards

• Architecture Institute of Japan Award (1986)
• 33rd Mainichi Art Award (1992)
• IAA ‘interach ‘97′ Grand Prix, Union of Architects in Bulgaria Gold Medal (1997)
• Education Minister’s Art Encouragement Prize (1998)
• Arnold W. Brunner Memorial Prize (2000)
• Gold prize, Japanese Good Design Award (2001)
• RIBA Royal Gold Medal (2005)
• Frederick Kiesler Award for Architecture and the Arts (2008)

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