AIA Japan

AIA Japan YEAR-END EVENT: 2021 END OF YEAR OPEN HOUSE / AWARD CEREMONY
2021-12-18 14:00 - 18:00 UTC
AIA Japan YEAR-END EVENT: 2021 END OF YEAR OPEN HOUSE / AWARD CEREMONY
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2021 @14:00 JST
AIA Japan invites you to join us for an open house party on Saturday, December, 18th. The open house will be held virtually and an informal gathering. This means that you can come and go as you want and don’t feel obligated to stay for the entire event. During the open house, there will be the 2021 AIA Japan Design Award Ceremony followed by a short presentation of the winners. We hope to see you in our year-end event with the rest of our friends. We are pretty sure that with your presence, our very special day would be perfect.
The open house will be held virtually and an informal gathering. This means that you can come and go as you want and don’t feel obligated to stay for the entire event. During the open house, there will be the 2021 AIA Japan Design Award Ceremony followed by a short presentation of the winners.
SCHEDULE:

1st Half (2 hours)

Introduction: hosted by Segene Park, AIA, 2021 AIA Japan President

President short speech
Year-end report

Design Award Ceremony: hosted by George Kunihiro, FAIA, 2021 AIA Japan Design Award Committee Chair / 2016 AIAJ President

Jury members` comments
Design award ceremony
Award winner presentation
Shortlisted project slide show

Certificate of Appreciation Ceremony: hosted by Segene Park, AIA

Recognition for Outstanding Contribution to AIA Japan

Introduction of 2022 AIA Japan Officers: hosted by Segene Park, AIA

Announce officer`s name
2022 AIA Japan President short speech

Announcement for Year-End: hosted by Segene Park, AIA

Sanbon-jime (三本締め), which consists of three ippon-jime, i.e. three sets of three claps and one final clap (3-3-3-1 3-3-3-1 3-3-3-1)
Learn about a Japanese custom of ceremonial rhythmic hand clapping: click Here

2nd Half (1 hour – )

Casual Session: hosted by George Kunihiro, FAIA

Social gathering hosted by noted architect and educator, George Kunihiro, FAIA
Watch AIAJ event unseen scenes And deleted scenes
New Year message from AIA Japan

2022 President Club Meeting
2022-05-05 12:00 - 15:00 UTC
2022 President Club Meeting
by Honorary Fellow Council on May 15
AIA Japan President Club meeting was held in KASHIWAYA in the RIVERSIDE POINT. https://www.nihonryouri-kashiwaya.jp/
Noborito is located in the natural scenery of the Tama River and the Tama Hills. The area was formerly used as a lodging for carpenters, plaster, craftsmen, and travelers.
Kashiwaya was founded in the 1830s on the Kutsukui Kado, which passed through Noborito, and has been operating daily with the support of local people, inheriting traditional freshwater fish dishes. In 2019, it was moved to the Tama Riverside.
Participants
2022 – Ar. Tomoaki Tanaka, AIA
2021 – Ar. Segene Park AIA
2020 – Ar. Leo Nishimura, Int’l Assoc. AIA
2019 – Ar. Akira Nakamura AIA
2018 – Ar. Daishi Yoshimoto AIA
2017 – Ar. Scott Gold AIA
2015 – Ar. Richard Moriwaki AIA
2014 – Ar. Yasuyuki Sakurai AIA

Visit GA Houses Project 2022
2022-06-04 11:00 - 13:00 UTC
Visit GA Houses Project 2022
Yumiko Yamada (aia Japan)
Saturday, June 4, 2022 @ 11:00 JST
AIA Japan’s first face-to-face event of the year!
SUMMARY:
The GA Houses Project is an annual exhibition featuring over 51 ongoing residential projects around the world. AIA Japan Event Committee reserved the GA Gallery and bookshop on Saturday, June 4 for a private visit for AIA Japan members and friends. Nobuhiro Kitazawa, principal of Office of Nobuhiro Kitazawa, and Kurumi Inaba from Office of Ryue Nishizawa presented their house projects. After the presentation, the attendees had a discussion with the presenters and had lunch with everyone.
Hosted by Yumiko Yamada, 2022 AIAJ Secretary / Event Committee Chair / Partner of Kazuyo Sejima + Ryue Nishizawa / SANAA

Toto Gallery Ma Exhibition visit with Hirokazu Suemitsu SUEP. “Harvest In Architecture”
2022-09-03 10:00 - 12:00 UTC
In-Person Event:
Toto Gallery Ma Exhibition visit with Hirokazu Suemitsu SUEP. “Harvest In Architecture”
SATURDAY, september 3, 2022 10:00 ~ 11:45 JST
Program Synopsis
Mr. Hirokazu Suemitsu, principal architect of SUEP., will give AIAJ members an exclusive tour of his very popular exhibition “Harvest in Architecture” at the Toto Gallery Ma. This exhibition presents their unique view of sustainability and global environment through recent works and research.
SUEP. is an architect unit working internationally out of offices in Tokyo and Fukuoka. Making the Earth’s environment their primary focus, they have been utilizing simulation technology to study the behavior of natural elements such as wind and heat to develop environmental building designs for a new age where architecture exists symbiotically with nature through cycling energy and resources.
Language
The visit will be conducted in English. We encourage questions and hope to have interesting discussions.
CES:
2.0 LU/HSW
Venue: TOTO GALLERY·MA
3F, TOTO Nogizaka Bldg., 1-24-3 Minamiaoyama, Minato, Tokyo, Japan 107-0062 (1-minute walk from Exit 3 of Nogizaka Station on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line) TEL: 03-3402-1010
Registration Fee: Free
Organizer: AIA Japan
Description of the exhibition from the Toto Gallery Ma website:
TOTO GALLERY·MA is pleased to present the exhibition Harvest in Architecture by SUEP. (Hirokazu Suemitsu and Yoko Suemitsu).
What distinguishes SUEP. is the way they view architecture as an instrument for activating ecological processes. By focusing on natural features such as topography, groundwater systems, vegetation, and ecosystems and studying the action of wind, heat, and water with simulations to inform their designs, they have been working to construct buildings that integrate circular resource flows. Through taking a tolerant approach towards nature, they aim to enable people to enjoy the blessings of the Earth while contributing towards realizing a society where this can be done in a sustainable fashion. Additionally, they value the importance of enhancing the livability of buildings not only by improving functional performance but also by sharing with residents, users, and community members the joy of taking part in the circular flows.
The exhibition’s title, Harvest in Architecture, is an expression of the architects’ gratitude for being able to harvest the fruits of the Earth every day and also of their commitment to help ensure that we can continue doing so. The show will feature their research and investigations and shed light on how they have been connecting their findings to their circular building designs.
One could describe SUEP.’s work as a series of attempts to forge a new future by connecting architecture with our planet. What role can architects play in the effort to sustain the rich blessings of the Earth through coexisting with nature rather than exploiting it one-sidedly? The architects will put their ideas and experimentations on full display through this exhibition.
TOTO GALLERY･MA

ZAK World of Facades, The World’s Premier Conference On Facade Design & Engineering by SCHUCO
2022-10-12 08:00 - 18:00 UTC
In-Person Event:
ZAK World of Facades, The World’s Premier Conference On Facade Design & Engineering
by SCHUCO
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2022 @ 08:00 ~ 17:35 JST
ZAK World of Facades, The World’s Premier Conference On Facade Design & Engineering, will be held in Tokyo for the very first time!
Program Synopsis
15-20 guest speakers will provide you with new knowledge and perspective on facade design and technologies. This is a great opportunity for architects to learn new products, technologies, trend, and meet people for networking.
As a main sponsor of the event, Schueco Japan will be inviting Oliver Hans, senior innovation manager at Schueco International, as a guest speaker.
This is an invite-only event! If you are interested, please make sure to register through ZAK website.

Please note that digital registration would not guarantee your attendance. As the capacity of the conference is limited by the venue due to the restrictions related to COVID-19, only those who receive a confirmation email from ZAK can attend the event.

Language
The official language of the event is Japanese. For English presentations, simultaneous translation will be provided on-site at the venue
CES:
8.0 LU/HSW for AIA Members

Persons who attend the entire program will earn CES Credits. You will have to sign up at the conclusion with your current AIA membership number to receive the credits.

ARCHITECTURAL TOUR WITH OSAMU WATANABE: New Residential Environment Found in JOHNSON TOWN
2022-10-15 11:30 - 15:00 UTC
In-Person Event:
ARCHITECTURAL TOUR WITH OSAMU WATANABE: New Residential Environment Found in JOHNSON TOWN
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2022 @ 11:30 ~ 16:00 JST
JOHNSON TOWN is a residential area located in Iruma City, Saitama Prefecture.
Before the war, it was known as Japan’s Iruma Air Base for Japanese military personnel, while after the war, it was called “JOHNSON AIR BASE” with a housing area for U.S. military personnel. The houses in Johnson Air Base were known as “U.S. Army House”. Approximately 20 years after the full return of Johnson Air Base to Japan, those buildings were completely dilapidated, and the town had almost become a slum.
Osamu Watanabe of Osamu Watanabe Architects involved after Tatsuo Isono, the current owner of Isono Shokai, became a president. The architect who had studied community-oriented residential development in the United States, started a new project to restore the town by renovating and re-using existing houses as well as building new houses. There are 23 single-story U.S. Army Houses remaining in this town, and the lifestyle of living in old U.S. Army Houses has emerged among some young Japanese. The town has been gradually developed over nearly 20 years since its conception. Now the town fosters a high-quality and unique townscape and lifestyle. It is highly evaluated as an alternative to conventional residential area developments.
The town has now evolved into a place where:

Young people can leave their jobs and realize their dreams.
Housewives raising children can pursue their dreams.
Retired senior citizens can realize their dreams.
People with disabilities can continue to live and work.

Japan Institute of Architects (JIA) 2022 Okinawa Architect Convention
2022-10-19 - 2022-10-22
In-Person Event:
Japan Institute of Architects (JIA) 2022 Okinawa Architect Convention
October 19 – 22
The JIA President Naomi Sato and JIA International Relations Committee invited Jane Frederick, FAIA (2020 AIA National President) to International President`s Forum. George Kunihiro, FAIA (Past President of ARCASIA and AIA Japan) and Segene Park, AIA (Immediate Past President of AIA Japan, 2023-2024 AIA International Secretary-elect) was also invited as a guest.
SUMMARY:
It was a three-day convention that brought together hundreds of architects from Japan. This year, Okinawa celebrates the 50th anniversary of its reversion and the convention focused on conservation, heritage, and cultural identity.
The first day of the convention, Dr. Abu Sayeed M. Ahmed (President of ARCASIA) talked about conservation in Bangladesh, Farhana Sharmin Emu (Chairperson of ARCASIA AHPG) talked about Heritage Preservation Group`s activities, Dr. In-Souk Cho (Former International Co-director, UIA WP Heritage Cultural Identity) talked about reconstruction of SungNyeMun in Korea, Yuzuru Tsukagawa and Shun Hori (Architects of Nihon Sekkei) showed a video explaining Kumamoto castle reconstruction observation path, and Haruhisa Uejima (Representative of JIA Heritage Architect School) talked about their activities.
Shortly after the presentation, JIA President Naomi Sato hosted the panel discussion. The panelists were Jane Frederick, FAIA (2020 the American Institute of Architects National President), Sumpalung Chana, ASA (President of The Association of Siamese Architects under Royal Patronage), Chungyu Shin, KIRA (President’s Representative of Korea Institute of Registered Architects), Eui Young Chun, KIA (President of Korean Institute of Architects). They shared their ideas about how we can preserve modern architecture. There were only a few invited guests at the Yashio-sou Yara Hall, however, it was broadcasted on YouTube and recorded. The guests were Masaharu Rokushika (Immediate Past President of JIA), Jeyu Park, KIA (Immediate Past President of KIA), Dr. Howon Kang, KIRA, George Kunihiro, FAIA (Past President of ARCASIA and AIA Japan), Segene Park, AIA (Immediate Past President of AIA Japan, 2023-2024 AIA International Secretary-elect), and other distinguished guests.
Right after the President`s Forum, the opening party was held at the Sunset Cruise. During the party, JIA President Naomi Sato played saxophone to entertain the participants.
The second day began with a private tour of the reconstruction site of Shuri Castle. The castle was destroyed by fire in 2019. Based on the discovery of maintenance records in Tokyo, architects have produced drawings with the advice of many experts over the past two years. The construction will take place over the next four years, and for the construction, Japanese cypress timbers are still gathering from all over Japan and are slowly drying in the temporary building.
After the visit to Shuri Castle, the guests were guided to the main symposium at the Naha Culture and Arts Theater, where the opening ceremony, awards ceremony, lectures, and panel discussions were held.
In the evening, a reception party was held for JIA members and guests at the Okinawa Harborview Hotel, and the Japanese emperor came and stayed the next day.
The reception started with the opening video taken the previous day and the Japanese traditional opening ceremony of a cask of sake. The Okinawa dance and Karate performance entertained the participants. Also, there was a greeting message from the JIA Okinawa Chapter, followed by the announcement of next year’s convention venue by the Tokai Chapter. JIA has 9 chapters in Japan and a chapter in China.

2022 AIA Japan Year End Party + Design Awards Ceremony
2022-12-11 19:00 - 21:00 UTC
2022 AIA Japan Year End Party + Design Awards Ceremony
Sunday, December 11, 2022, 17:00 – 19:00 Japan TIME
DESIGN AWARDS CEREMONY
Winners Presentation
See Winners
Event Program(Invitation Only)

AIA Japan Members FREE (10,000 JPY)
AIA Japan Design Awards Winners & Jury Members FREE (10,000 JPY)
Invited Guests FREE (10,000 JPY)
Email invitation will be sent to AIA Japan members and guests.

Note
AIA Japan Member`s Guest

5,000 JPY
Collected at the door (Cash only)

QUESTIONS
The AIAJ Event Committee: mail@aiajapan.org
Venue
The International House of Japan

5 Chome-11-16 Roppongi, Minato City, Tokyo 106-0032
〒106-0032 東京都港区六本木５丁目１１−16

Website: i-house.or.jp
Phone: 0334704611

Heatherwick Studio - Exhibition Tour at Mori Art Museum
2023-05-25 18:00 - 20:00 UTC
Thursday, May 25 · 6 – 8pm JST
Update: Craig Miller, head of Heatherwick’s Shanghai studio, will guide us through their first exhibition in Japan “Building Soulfulness.”
SUMMARY:
Heatherwick Studio’s first solo exhibition in Japan ‘Building Soulfulness’ organised and curated by the Mori Art Museum in Tokyo, will feature 28 of the studio’s most iconic designs including, a full-scale model of Airo, the car that cleans the air as it drives, London’s re-designed double decker bus and Little Island, a ‘floating’ public park in New York City. The show was curated by the celebrated Mami Kataoka, formerly International Curator of the Hayward Gallery in London. All exhibition images credit to: Taquel Diniz.
Thomas Heatherwick said:
“Over the last three decades my team and I have been passionately trying to create impactful, relatable projects that make our lives more meaningful and joyful. It’s now thrilling to be able to showcase such a vast collection of our work in Japan, where respect for design thinking and craftsmanship is unrivalled. I hope visitors will leave the show feeling like their emotions have not just been respected, but were an essential part of our thinking and fascination!”
Mami Kataoka, the Director of the Mori Art Museum and the curator of the exhibition said:
“Experiencing the true scale of architecture in an art gallery is not easy. For ‘Building Soulfulness’ I’ve looked for ways to showcase the essential philosophy and spirit of Heatherwick Studio’s design by providing six distinct perspectives. The sets designed by the Studio, combined with the grand Tokyo cityscape seen from the Tokyo City View observation deck, will immensely enhance the viewers’ exhibition experience. It is my sincere hope that the show would speak to everyone’s soul.”
The exhibition explores the idea scaling up the soulfulness frequently associated with small objects and the central role of craftsmanship in the studio’s design approach. Divided into six main sections, the show delves into the creative approach and process that the studio applies to each project emphasising the belief that no matter what the scale or budget, each design can have a human scale, embrace the natural world and connect with the environment around it.
The exhibition is an immersive experience, visitors can explore the projects through models on display, playful objects, video content and large-scale images hanging from the ceiling, offering a variety of vistas and viewpoints that evoke the three-dimensionality of the studio’s work.

Robert Hutchison: In Search of a Holistic Practice: Architecture, Speculation, Installation
2023-07-13 19:00 - 21:00 UTC
Robert Hutchison:
In Search of a Holistic Practice: Architecture, Speculation, Installation
Thursday, July 13, 2023 19:00 – 21:00 (doors open at 18:30)
at the Arper showroom in gaienmae (see MAP)

SPEAKER BIO:
Robert Hutchison is a practitioner, researcher, and educator whose interests and practice overlap the fields of architecture, art and photography. In 2013 Hutchison established the architecture studio Robert Hutchison Architecture based in Seattle, Washington. Hutchison is an Affiliate Associate Professor in the Department of Architecture at the University of Washington, where he teaches architectural design studios at the undergraduate and graduate levels. He is the recipient of the 2017 Rome Prize from the American Academy in Rome, the 2010 Japan/US Friendship Creative Artists Fellowship, the 2009 Emerging Voices awarded by The Architectural League of NY, a 2022 MacDowell Fellowship, and a 2024 Loghaven Fellowship. Hutchison is currently in Japan on a 4-month Creative Artists Fellowship awarded through the Japan/US Friendship Commission.
https://robhutcharch.com/
LECTURE SUMMARY:
Robert Hutchison will provide an overview of work developed by his eponymous practice since its founding ten years ago, focusing on the firm’s interest in exploring architecture through a balance of built work, speculative projects, and installation. Three projects will be presented in-depth: 1) Rain Harvest Home, constructed in 2020 as a design collaboration between Hutchison and Mexico City based architect Javier Sanchez; 2) Memory Houses, a five year long speculative project that investigates mortality and memory through the lens of architecture, and which was the subject of a 2019 solo exhibition at Casa Luis Barragan in Mexico City; and 3) Chapel for Luis Barragan, a temporary installation constructed on the rooftop of Luis Barragan’s studio as part of the 2019 exhibition.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
After the lecture, participants will be able to
1. Describe the environmental as well as experiential role that rainwater plays in the Rain Harvest Home.
2. Identify the historical architectural sources that informed the designs for the eight structures that comprise the firm’s Memory Houses project.
3. Explain the importance that speculative work and installation play in the firm’s body of work.
4. Summarize the role of physical models in the working process of the firm.

City Regeneration Through Design
2023-07-20 16:00 - 18:00 UTC
Northglass Symposium In Tokyo
Date: 20 July 2023
Venue: International House of Japan
Title: City Regeneration Through Design
Since the implementation of the Urban Renaissance Special Measures Act of 2002, large-scale redevelopment has accelerated in the central areas of Tokyo, dramatically transforming the urban landscape. This change has significantly impacted not only our living environment but also the values we associate with the city. In this symposium, we aim to evaluate the significance of urban regeneration brought about by recent large-scale urban development and discuss its potential.
City needs to be sustainable for many generations as well. We all are responsible to keep this earth and urban environments sustainable and all designers are committed to this never-ending responsibility. Using Azabudai project and others, the lecture will explore architects responsibility as well as the importance of the collaborative works with designers and clients.
The lecture will also examine the specific process and contents of pre-design, using Azabudai Hills, as an example. The lecture address the dialogue between the developer and the architects as it relates to the pre-design process, using the podium of the buildings at Azabudai Hills, designed by the Heatherwick Studio, as a case study.
Lecture objectives

Identify design strategies to create sustainable and better urban environments.
Describe the importance of the creative collaborations to make the urban space more exciting.
Explain the outline and process of pre-design by the project proponent
Analyze the differences between the perspectives of the business (developer) side and the architect’s side in the ultimate design proposal.

HSW Justification
Specifically, by learning about the project planning and design strategies of large-scale urban redevelopment, we will deepen our understanding of the sustainability and mechanism of city regeneration through large-scale redevelopment that impacts the health, safety and welfare of the residents. Business strategy is an essential element for the success and regeneration of urban development, while the value of design enhances the sustainability and quality of the urban environment and urban life by improving health, safety and welfare of the citizens.

Drawn to Architecture
2023-11-02 17:30 - 21:00 UTC
in-person event :
Drawn to Architecture
Thursday, November 2 at 17:30-20:30(JST)

program description:
Most architects sketch and draw to communicate their design ideas. Over time, some of us lose touch with those early skills as we grow in responsibilities and become engaged in other aspects of our work. However, the importance of quickly communicating our ideas remains the same. Whether you are an expert sketch artist or have always wanted to improve your basic sketching or water coloring techniques–this event is for you.
This mini-workshop, tour and social includes an evening with two professional illustrators from NIKKEN SEKKEI and will be held in NIKKEN’s new, world class collaboration space. There is time planned for learning, sketching and socializing. Please bring your sketchbook/pencils/pens, paints/paper, or iPad/tablet and be prepared to try something familiar or learn something new.
The venue is part of the inspiration and this event will be held in NIKKEN’s newest collaboration space called PYNT (ピント) which means ‘focus point’. PYNT is all about collaboration and innovation and is designed to create ‘controlled collisions’ between people from different departments, groups, cultures and companies. It is housed in NIKKEN’s newly re-certified LEED Gold (EB) and WELL Platinum certified headquarters. A 30-minute guided tour of the PYNT space will kick off the event and light food and beverages will be provided.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Participants will:

Learn and practice specific skills of interest to them (composition, silhouette, hatching, blocking/framing, speed, painting, digital solutions, etc.);
Become familiar with tools and techniques used by professional illustrators to shape a story;
Be able to think critically about a sketch or illustration’s purpose to help communicate an idea or design solution.
Be inspired to continue sketching, and utilize newly learned skills.

CES:
2LUs Approved

Visit to Gallery Ma: Tezzo Nishizawa’s Solo Exhibition: Chance Favors the Prepared Mind
2023-11-11 10:30 - 12:00 UTC
November 11, 10.30 am, JST
Gallery Visit
Architect Tezzo Nishizawa will personally guide AIA Japan members and friends though his new exhibit at TOTO GALLERY · MA in Tokyo, Japan. This is a casual visit – we encourage questions, comments, and discussions throughout.
Lecture/Exhibit Description
Architect Tezzo Nishizawa will conduct a walking lecture/tour through his exhibit, where he will describe his search for something as yet undiscovered: the kind of architectural planning that he hopes to pursue going forward. This effort to unearth the meaning of architectural plans that he has engaged with so far through an after-the-fact examination of the peripheral and fragmentary objects that they yielded, will, he hopes, open a door to the rich essence of architecture.

Lecture/Exhibit Objectives
1. Describe the meaning of architecture as “a peripheral phenomenon while its core defies articulation”.
2. Analyze how we can plan in advance the wealth of elements that form the core of architecture, yet remain beyond our reach, and how we can grasp the totality of the relationships among these elements.
3. Understand the meaning of “Chance favors the prepared mind” a proverb attributed to the microbiologist Louis Pasteur, as the exhibit explores chances of discovering the unexpected.
4. Explore how mental preparation and initiative will bring “good luck” and preparation is a prerequisite for our discovery of the true significance of a work of architecture.
Exhibition Description from Tezzo Nishizawa:
I sometimes think that architecture is a phenomenon that can only be described from the periphery, while its core defies articulation. We can ascertain architecture’s reality through written words, what we see with our own eyes, and the touch of our own hands. But I have always wondered how one can possibly plan in advance the wealth of elements that form the core of architecture, yet remain beyond our reach, and how we can grasp the totality of the relationships among these elements. We sense that while architecture has a physical form, what we really wish to grasp is something that only exists behind that form. Perhaps it is this aspect of architecture that inspires us the most. “Chance favors the prepared mind” is a proverb attributed to the microbiologist Louis Pasteur. One’s chances of discovering the unexpected are vastly improved by preparing for that possibility in advance; it is this mental preparation and initiative that brings “good luck.” Preparation is a prerequisite for our discovery of the true significance of a work of architecture; what we call planning may well mean the pursuit, from the outset, of something we have never searched for before. Furthermore, the drawings and models that emerge in the course of this search should serve as clues that will help us grasp architecture’s essence.
This exhibition is a project through which I am attempting to search for something as yet undiscovered: the kind of architectural planning I should pursue from this point on. This effort to unearth the meaning of the architectural plans I have been engaged with so far through an after-the-fact examination of the peripheral and fragmentary objects they yielded will, I hope, open a door to the rich essence of architecture.

2023 AIA JAPAN YEAR END PARTY+DESIGN AWARDS CELEBRATION
2023-12-17 17:00 - 20:00 UTC
Sunday, December 17th at 17:00 –
Dear Members, Friends, and Sponsors,
We’re excited to announce the 2023 AIA JAPAN YEAR-END PARTY + DESIGN AWARDS CELEBRATION. Join us on December 17, 2023, at the International House of Japan to celebrate a year of achievements and excellence.
Event Details:
– Date: PM 5:00-, December 17(Sun), 2023
– Venue: The International House of Japan
– Address: 5 Chome-11-16 Roppongi, Minato City, Tokyo 106-0032 〒106-0032 東京都港区六本木５丁目１１−16
– Website: [i-house.or.jp](http://i-house.or.jp)
– Phone: 0334704611
– Attire: Smart Casual

This Event is Open to:
– AIA Japan Members / Member’s Guest
– AIA Japan Design Awards Winners & Jury Members
– AIAJ’s Sponsors/ Invited Guests

AIA Japan Past Presidents Dinner
2024-01-23 18:00 - 21:00 UTC
AIA Japan Past Presidents Dinner

6:00 PM 9:00 PM

Ebisu Bar Nite Vol. 2
2024-02-01 18:30 - 22:00 UTC
EBISU BAR NITE VOL.2

6:30 PM 10:00 PM
東京都渋谷区恵比寿1-11-2TokyoJapan (map)

COME JOIN US IN EBISU FOR ANOTHER SESSION OF AIA JAPAN’S “BAR NITE”.
BRING YOUR FRIEND!
FOOTNIK BAR IN EBISU
HTTPS://FOOTNIK.NET/EBISU/
No RSVP. No reservation. No entry charge. Come anytime, leave anytime.
Pay for your own drink and food at the counter.

Gallery MA Tour: Nosaku/Tsuneyama: Urban Fungus - Architecture is a Complex Mesh
2024-03-09 13:00 - 15:00 UTC
Company Profile
Fuminori Nousaku and Mio Tsuneyama are Tokyo-based architects. They engage in critical architectural practice on the theme of contemporary cities and ecosystems.
Their representative works include Holes in the House (Tokyo,) House For Seven People*(Tokyo); Akeno Raised Floor** (Yamanashi Prefecture); Piles and Pointed Roof (Tokyo); Guest House in Takaoka*** (Toyama Prefecture); Himi Migrant Village (Toyama Prefecture); and ”House on Classical Elements” Smart Village in Akiya (Kanagawa Prefecture).
They received numerous awards including the 15th Venice Architecture Biennale Special Mention Award (for the Japanese Pavilion exhibition); the 33rd JIA Young Architect Award**; and the AIJ Selected Works Young Architect Award.***
* Mio Tsuneyama ** Fuminori Nousaku *** Fuminori Nousaku ＋Junpei Nousaku
All others works: Fuminori Nousaku ＋ Mio Tsuneyama
Mio Tsuneyama, Architect
Born in Kanagawa Prefecture in 1983. Worked at Bonhôte Zapata Architectes (Switzerland) from 2005 to 2006. Received the Swiss Federal Government Scholarship from 2006 to 2008. Graduated from the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in 2008. Worked at HHF Architects (Switzerland) from 2008 to 2012. Established mnm in 2012. Assistant Professor at Tokyo University of Science (TUS) from 2015 to 2020. Special lecturer at TUS from 2020 to 2021. Visiting Professor at EPFL from 2022 to 2023. Adjunct Associate Professor at Columbia University in 2023.
Fuminori Nousaku, Architect
Born in Toyama Prefecture in 1982. Graduated from Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech) in 2005 and completed the graduate program at Tokyo Tech in 2007. Worked at Njiric+ Arhitecti (Croatia) in 2008. He has been leading Fuminori Nousaku Architects since 2010. Obtained Ph.D. from Tokyo Tech in 2012. Assistant Professor at Tokyo Tech from 2012 to 2018. Associate Professor at Tokyo Denki University from 2018 to 2021. Adjunct Associate Professor at Columbia University in 2023. Currently Associate Professor at Tokyo Metropolitan University.
Exhibition Description
Nousaku and Tsuneyama have been researching the relationship between architecture, cities, and ecosystems at universities in Japan and abroad while designing architecture and writing articles. They have been renovating the “Holes in the House,“ their home and office, from an ecological viewpoint by drilling holes in the slabs of the existing steel frame house to circulate light and heat, breaking the concrete-covered exterior with their hands, and improving the soil. It is a place of implementation where they experiment and develop what they learned elsewhere into upcoming projects. They attempt to bring the wild back into the city based on their idea of “Urban Wild Ecology” and actively incorporate traditional knowledge of stone masonry and wood framing as well as materials that return to the soil, such as straw and earthen walls.
They refer to cities as “human-influenced habitats for diverse organisms. “It decomposes part of contemporary cities faced with challenges, absorbs their nutrients, and grows like a fungus (mushroom.) They see architecture as a nexus point in the mesh of such decay and regeneration while striving to establish multispecies networks by using the wild and traditional knowledge to cut into the mesh and reconnect them.
This exhibition is an attempt to share their small trials and errors that everyone can emulate to reconnect the mesh through cross-sectional drawings and models of projects, including the proposed further renovation of the “Holes in the House” and the latest, “House on Classical Elements” Smart Village in Akiya. We hope viewers will perceive the possibilities and visions of architecture in the age of Anthropocene beyond it.

Ebisu Beer Nite Vol.3
2024-03-28 19:00 - 21:00 UTC
Ebisu Beer Nite Vol.3

7:00 PM 9:00 PM

Ebisu Beer Nite is back with a new name: ABC (Architects, Beer, and Chat)!
It’s another chance to meet fellow AIA Japan members and connect!
Pay for your own drink and food. Come anytime, leave anytime.
See you at the PUB TAP+ in Ebisu.

High Rise Façade – Balancing Aesthetic, Structural Integrity, and Functionality
2024-05-16 19:00 - 21:00 UTC
AIA Japan In Person CES Lecture
Date of In-Person Lecture: May 16, 2024 Thursday evening
Time: 1900 – 2100 Hrs
Venue: TBD Roppongi Mid-Town
Lecture Title:
High Rise Façade – Balancing Aesthetic, Structural Integrity, and Functionality
Lecture Description:
The façade of a high-rise building serves as both the face and the skin of the structure, embodying its aesthetic appeal while ensuring structural integrity and functionality. This presentation explores the intricate balance required in designing and implementing high-rise façades, where architectural vision meets engineering prowess. We explore the multifaceted considerations ranging from visual impact and environmental sustainability to structural stability and occupant comfort. Additionally, we examine innovative materials, technologies, and design strategies employed to achieve a harmonious synthesis of form and function in high-rise façades. Through case studies and examples, we illustrate the challenges and successes in achieving the delicate equilibrium between aesthetics, structural integrity, and functionality in the design and construction of high-rise façades.
Learning Objective 1:

Identify and describe the fundamental principles of high-rise façade design, including aesthetics, structural integrity and functionality.

Learning Objective 2:

Describe the structural analysis to assess the load-bearing capacity, wind resistance and seismic performance of high-rise façade systems.

Learning Objective 3:

Explore different façade materials in terms of their aesthetic qualities, durability and environmental impact.

Learning Objective 4:

Explore sustainable design strategies for high-rise facades, including passive design techniques, green materials and energy-efficient glazing systems.

Lecturers:
Timothy Soebroto
Regional Director – South-East Asia
Timothy has been in the facade industry for over 25 years. He has been involved in diverse roles and positions in facade contractors, from designing to managing facade projects; including assisting architects in designing facade systems to achieve required aesthetic. He has an extensive experience in the designing and managing the facade systems, especially unitized curtain wall. His work experience include; Resorts World at Sentosa, Thamrin Nine Development, which will be the tallest building in southern hemisphere, NESCO Development and Ocean Prestige Tower in Mumbai, India and Saigon Bin Anh in Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam.
Brian Leung
Regional Director – North Asia
With more than fifteen years’ inclusive experience in curtain wall consultancy and contractor for both Hong Kong, Macau and PRC projects, Brian familiarized in full range of practice in Façade industry, he is not only proficiency in design and engineering for curtain wall, cladding and non-load bearing structural steel structure systems, but also the construction management and project statutory administration.

Lecuture: Carlos Arnaiz
2024-06-13 19:00 - 21:00 UTC
Come join us at CIC Tokyo for a special lecture by Architect Carlos Arnaiz.
CES Pending
• Lecture topic—Carlos Arnaiz examines the ecological and technological disruptions that are altering how we think about and alter our built environment today. Navigating through these disruptions requires us to look at systems and processes in entirety, rather than the workings of individual parts. Studying different tendencies and aesthetic regimes that emerge across geographies not only deepens our systems-based design thinking, but also enhances our metabolic understanding of buildings within landscapes.
• Short bio—Carlos Arnaiz is an architect, educator, writer and urban design consultant. He is the founder and principal of CAZA, the co-founder of SURBA and an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Graduate School of Architecture & Urban Design at Pratt Institute where he teaches a class on the history of ideas about the city and a studio on multi-family housing. His professional experience ranges from the design and construction of large-scale mixed-used complexes to the development of strategic sustainability plans for new cities around the world. Carlos holds a Master’s Degree, with Honors, from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design, and a Bachelor’s Degree, Magna Cum Laude, from Williams College. Carlos’ work has been recognized with prestigious awards such as two consecutive Progressive Architecture awards in 2008 and 2009 and the AIANY building merit award in 2008. His projects has also been selected as Finalist for ArchDaily’s Best Buildings of the Year, as well as Finalist for Architizer A+ Awards.
Registrants will receive an email with a QR code to enter the venu.
This is an in person event.
6:30pm – 8:30pm
Register here:
https://peatix.com/event/4016323/view

Shigenori Uoya: Gallery MA Visit
2024-06-15
Description from Gallery Ma website:
Shigenori Uoya has renovated over 120 Kyo-machiya (Kyoto’s traditional townhouses) based on his research on the composition of Kyoto and other cities and is engaged in architectural practice focused on the issue of inheriting urban context. In Kyoto, historic cityscapes are on the verge of extinction, with machiya (townhouses) and nagaya (rowhouses) being demolished and replaced with condominiums and parking lots daily. In this context, Uoya strives to pass on the architectural legacy not only of machiya but also of alleys and allotments.
For example, in “Nagaya and Historical Alley with Containers,” he covered a corner of a nagaya building with a steel frame, combining it with containers to meet the needs of modern use while preserving the alley. The “Kakkyoyama Common Center for Gion Festival,” which received the 2023 Architectural Institute of Japan (AIJ) Award (Work), is an extension combining an existing wooden construction with a steel frame construction to revitalize a historical meeting hall for the Gion Festival while leveraging the legal system for architectural conservation. By weaving modern technology into historical and regional contexts using various methods, Uoya aims to pass on streetscapes and buildings to the next 100 years to realize richer urban spaces and urban habitats. Based on his extensive hands-on experience in Kyoto, Uoya’s practice is expanding to other parts of Japan and abroad.
The exhibition title, “Re-Weaving Urban Fabrics,” expresses Uoya’s perspective on cities and architecture. The phrase “Re-Weaving Urban Fabrics” encompasses meanings of two phrases, “Layering Time in the City” and “Re-editing Urban Structures.” Through this exhibition, we hope to convey to visitors the possibilities of contemporary architecture that connects history and the future.

Register here:
https://peatix.com/event/3999323/view

CES Pending.

TOSHIKO KINOSHITA "The Work of Heritage Houses Trust"
2024-09-07 11:30 - 13:00 (Asia/Tokyo) | HERITAGE HOUSES TRUST, 1 Chome-11-7 Jiyugaoka, Meguro City, Tokyo, Japan
Saturday, September 7, 11:00-13:00 at the Heritage Houses Trust
lecture followed by a tour of Sonoda House by Junzo Yoshimura.
Lecture Topic:
This event includes a lecture on the work of the non-profit organization Heritage Houses Trust and a tour of the Sonoda House, which the Trust was actually involved in preserving. The participants will exchange opinions on the current status of the preservation and utilization of historical buildings in Japan, including issues relating to inheritance,preservation and utilization and the role of architects in this field in the future.
Lecturer Bio:
Born in Kobe in 1969. Graduated from Japan Woman’s University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1993, Shibaura Institute of Technology with a Master of Science degree in 1995 and University of London with a Master of Arts degree in 1996. Rotary Foundation scholar at the Mackintosh School of Architecture from 1996-97. Doctoral student at University of Tokyo from 2000-05. Lecturer in architectural history at Tokyo Science University from 2000-05 and at Tokyo Denki University from 2006-08. She founded Community Housing Ltd. in 2013 with her partner Juan Pablo Ordonez Q. Currently a board of directors of Heritage Houses Trust and NPO Tamagawa Machizukuri House. Publications include ‘Visions of the Real: Modern Houses in the 20th Century I & II’(a+u, 2000).
CES: 2.0 LUs Approved
The work of Heritage Trust, non-profit organization, for preserving historically and culturally important residences designed by famous Japanese architects, is contributing to sustainability that the post-war approach of scrap and built, resulting in generation of large amounts of waste, is clearly not suited to the present age. It is time for Japanese people to learn to live in 100-year-old vintage houses, rather than being obsessed with newness and that old houses can be re-vitalized for the health, safety and welfare of its future occupants as well.
Learning Objectives:
1. Understand the number of factors that account for difficulty of preserving historical residences in Japan contributing to demolition of many houses that are still livable for health, safety and welfare of its residents.
2. Analyze how the Japanese real estate market is largely unreceptive of “used housing” including Japan real estate tax depreciation systems that encourage building of new homes instead of preserving houses of cultural value for the welfare of its neighborhood and community.
3. Describe that even when a property has been officially recognized for its historical and cultural value, the situation is precarious because it is privately owned and public financial support is weak. In many cases, the house is demolished at the time of generational change, to pay inheritance tax or/and inheritance division. Designation as a cultural property requires the agreement of the owner in practice and many owners hesitate their properties to be designated as cultural properties.
4. Explore the wonders of Sonoda House designed by Junzo Yoshimura and completed in 1955. Later in 1987, the addition was designed by Hiroshi Ogawa, former Yoshimura’s office staff. The house was successfully passed on to the present owner and now it is open to the public for music concerts and architectural visits.
Venue Schedule:
Doors open – 10:45
Lecture start time – 11:00
End time – 13:00
Venue info will be sent to registrants before the event.
REGISTER HERE

End of the Year Party - AIAJ Bonenkai
2024-12-13 19:00 - 21:00 (Asia/Tokyo)
Bonenkai is this Friday, Dec 13 in Aoyama!
Members – please let us know you are coming by registering HERE!
This event is open to:

Members
Board and committee members’s guests.
AIAJ invited guests

See you there!

Yasutaka Yoshimura: MANGARCHITECTURE - Absence of an Architect | Gallery Ma Exhibit Tour
2025-02-22 10:00 - 12:00 (Asia/Tokyo) | TOTO GALLERY · MA, Minamiaoyama, 1 Chome−24−3 TOTO乃木坂ビル, Minato City, Tokyo, 107-0062, Japan
Register here via Peatix:
https://aiaj250222.peatix.com/
Exhibit Description from Gallery Ma Website
Since the early days of his architectural activities, Yasutaka Yoshimura has strived to establish various relationships between spontaneous movements, such as people’s behavior, and different social conditions, such as social systems and situations so that architecture can serve as the bridge between the two.
He is exploring new ways of dwelling and living in the depopulating society Japan will face from now on. For example, with “Fukumasu Base” (2016), he covered a wooden structure with a ready-made tent warehouse to realize a childcare support facility where children can spend their time freely in a spacious open-plan space. With “Home2Go#001″(2019), he considered architecture as something between “immovable property” and “movable property” and imagined a “semi-movable property architecture” where people can choose where to live without being bound by the land. With “Takigahara Chicken Village” (2021), he envisioned an animal welfare society where humans and animals can lead happy lives together.What would happen if the architect’s authorship became “absent?” Yoshimura asks this question through this exhibition, using his work as reference material to further advance his exploration of the extensibility of architecture in today’s society.
In this exhibition, seven of Yoshimura’s projects are depicted as seven different stories by different manga artists to explore new interpretations of architecture. The world of manga has developed in a particularly unique way among two-dimensional pictorial expressions and has become a familiar part of our daily lives. What is depicted when manga and architecture meet and architecture leaves the architect’s hands? We invite everyone to discover what the collaboration of architecture and manga will create.
Exhibitor Profile – Yasutaka Yoshimura
Born in 1972 in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture. He received a bachelor’s degree in architecture from the Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University, in 1995 and a master’s degree from Waseda University in 1997. From 1999 to 2001 he worked at MVRDV (Netherlands) under the Overseas Study Program for Artists of the Agency for Cultural Affairs. He founded Yasutaka Yoshimura Architects Inc. in 2005. He was a professor by special appointment at Meiji University from 2013 to 2018, and is currently a professor at Waseda University.
He has received the Yoshioka Prize (2006), the Asia Design Award (2009), the Good Design Award Special Prize (2010), the House Award Gold Prize (2010), the JCD Design Award Grand Prix (2011), the Annual Prize of AIJ (2011, 2014, 2018), the AP Award (2014), the WADA Award (2016), and the Grand Prize of ADAN (2018). His written works include Super Legal Buildings (Shokokusha, 2006), EX-CONTAINER (Graphic-sha, 2008), and Behaviors and Protocols (LIXIL Publishing, 2012).
Register here via Peatix:
https://aiaj250222.peatix.com/

AIA Leadership Summit 2025
2025-02-24 - 2025-02-26 | Grand Hyatt Hotel, 1000 H Street, NW, Washington, DC, DC, 20006, United States
AIA Leadership Summit 2025 is the premier advocacy and leadership training event for AIA chapter leaders. The annual event is always one of AIA’s best attended leadership events—offering attendees a unique platform to engage in critical policy discussions with lawmakers while enhancing their leadership skills.
AIALS 2025 is happening February 24–26, 2025, at the Grand Hyatt in Washington, D.C. This is your opportunity to connect with—and learn from—over 700 AIA members, volunteer leaders, and chapter executives from across the nation. Over three days, you’ll learn how to maximize your leadership potential, connect advocacy outreach with leadership for better outcomes, and apply best practices in association management.
This year’s event highlights include:

Emmy-nominated host, writer, and podcaster Baratunde Thurston will explore the four pillars of “How to Citizen”: participation, relationship-building, understanding power, and valuing the collective for the common good
Capitol Hill visits with members of Congress from your state to influence policy
Networking and community with hundreds of like-minded peers
20 Expert-led sessions on advocacy, leadership, and association management
Insights on the latest policy developments to influence the legislative process

Register Today!

Ebisu Beer & Sketch Nite!
2025-03-28 19:00 (Asia/Tokyo) | PUB TAP+, 1 Chome−15−2 アパルトマンイトウ 101, Shibuya, Ebisunishi, 東京都, 150-0021, Japan
Ebisu Beer & Sketch Nite!
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

AIA Japan’s Beer & Sketch Nite is back!
It’s another chance to meet fellow AIA Japan members and connect! No formalities, no agenda—just architects, beer, and questionable doodles. Buy your own drinks and food. Show up when you want, leave when you want. See you at PUB TAP+ in Ebisu!

Evening Lecture - Balázs Bognár @ Meiji University
2025-04-17 19:00 - 20:00 (Asia/Tokyo) | Meiji University, Surugadai Campus, Global Front Building, 16F Lecture Room, 1-1 Kanda-Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-0062, Japan
Evening Lecture: Balázs Bognár – Place-Time ContinuumDate: April 17, 2025Time: 19:00 JSTLocation: 16F Lecture Room, Surugadai Campus Global Front, Meiji UniversityLanguage: EnglishOpen to the Public
Join Meiji University’s International Program in Architecture and Urban Design (I-AUD) for an evening lecture by Balázs Bognár, AIA Japan President and Partner at Kengo Kuma and Associates, entitled “Place-Time Continuum”.

Connect & Discover: Materials Lecture + Mixer
2025-04-25 18:30 - 20:30 (Asia/Tokyo) | Cosentino Showroom, イノックス青山 6 Chome-4-14 Minamiaoyama, Minato City, Tokyo, 107-0062, Japan
REGISTER HERE!

Join AIA Japan and Cosentino for an evening of connection, conversation, and material inspiration. We’ll kick things off with a presentation introducing Ultracompact Surfaces (UCS)—a high-performance material redefining possibilities in architecture and design.
Then, stay for wine, snacks, and the chance to meet the Cosentino team, mingle with fellow architects and designers, and grow your network. Whether you’re curious about new materials or just looking to connect, we would love to see you there!
This event will give AIA-CES credits!

AIA International in Japan - Azabudai Hills: A New Urban Vision
2025-04-26 16:00 - 20:00 (Asia/Tokyo) | Azabudai Hills Mori JP Tower, Ground Lobby, 1 Chome-3-1 Azabudai, Minato City, Tokyo, 106-0041, Japan
We invite you to join us for an exclusive event all about Azabudai Hills, featuring a tour, a panel discussion and social time!
When: Saturday 26 April 2025 @ 03:00-07:00 (Eastern US Time)/ 16:00-20:00 (Japan Standard Time)
Where: Azabudai Hills, Tokyo
Cost: Free of charge for all (including AIA and non-AIA members)
We have a choice of programs on offer:
Program 1 – Azabudai Hills Tour (Limited to 120 people)
Program 2 – Panel Presentation & Social Gathering (Limited to 120 people)
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Register for one or both events HERE!
Registration opens 3/24/2025 for AIA non-leadership members!
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You may choose to participate in one or both activities. The number of participants is limited for each program and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Event Description
Participants will be split into English-speaking and Japanese-speaking groups for a guided tour led by Midori Omori, Executive at Mori Building, alongside her team.
Following this, a panel presentation and discussion will be held, featuring Naomi Sato, the current President of the Japan Institute of Architects, who will present on the Tokyo International Forum. Kenzo Nakakoji from Mori Building will provide insights into Azabudai Hills, showcasing the latest developments in Tokyo from the developer’s perspective. Additionally, the CEO of North Glass will offer a technical viewpoint on the project. After the presentations, there will be a panel discussion where each speaker will delve deeper into their respective projects and share further insights. The event will conclude with a two-hour social gathering at Hills House, offering ample time for networking and interaction, along with food and beverages.
Presenters
JIA President Naomi Sato
Mori Building Executive Midori Omori
Mori Building Project Planning & Design Manager Kenzo Nakakoji
North Glass CEO Paul Gao
Host: AIA International Vice-President / President- Elect Segene Park
Moderator: AIA International Adjunct Director / Silas Chiow
Program 1: Azabudai Hills Tour

Meeting point: Azabudai Hills Mori JP Tower, Ground Lobby
1 Chome-3-1 Azabudai, Minato City, Tokyo 106-0041
https://www.azabudai-hills.com/
16:00: Tour in English & Japanese (60 minutes)

Hosted by Mori Building and North Glass, featuring Mori Building Executive Midori Omori and North Glass CEO Paul Gao.
Participants will be divided into English-speaking and Japanese-speaking groups.
Each group will be required to download a smartphone application (further details will be shared later).

Program 2: Panel Presentation & Social Gathering
Meeting point: Hills Tower Plaza 4F, 33rd Floor
https://www.hillshouse.jp/
17:00: Panel Presentation in English (45 minutes), featuring:

Tokyo International Forum (AIA Award-winning project) – Presented by JIA President Naomi Sato.
Azabudai Hills – Presented by Mori Building Kenzo Nakakoji.
Latest glass façade technology – Presented by Paul Gao, CEO of North Glass, and a specialist in glass manufacturing engineering.

17:30: Panel Discussion in English (15 minutes). The session will conclude with a brief discussion of:

Their projects.
Glass façade innovations.
Emerging trends and technologies.
Design aspects.

18:00: Social Gathering at Hills House (120 minutes)

Takes place after the panel presentation.
Hosted at Hills House on the 33rd floor.

Link here for Speaker Bios and more information!
Hope to see you there!

Ebisu Beer & Sketch Nite!
2025-05-15 19:00 - 21:00 (Asia/Tokyo)
Ebisu Beer & Sketch Nite!
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

AIA Japan’s Beer & Sketch Nite is back!
It’s another chance to meet fellow AIA Japan members (and friends) and connect! No formalities, no agenda—just architects, beer, and questionable doodles. Buy your own drinks and food. Show up when you want, leave when you want. See you at PUB TAP+ in Ebisu!
