NArchitekTURA Distills the Nature of Katsushika Hokusai for an Exhibition of His Prints at the National Museum in Krakow

Snarkitecture, in collaboration with local architect SNARK, has unveiled '3110NZ', a cultural destination in Tokyo that seamlessly merges a contemporary art gallery with an omakase restaurant. Situated in the quiet residential neighborhood of Nakameguro, the design prioritizes a discreet exterior that harmonizes with its surroundings while simultaneously sparking curiosity about the experiences held within. The façade’s design concept revolves around the insertion of a solid volume into the corner location, from which all exterior openings and internal spaces were then excavated. This 'excavation' approach is evident in the custom oak front door and backlit portholes, which appear as if carved directly from the hand-troweled cement facade. This thematic element extends into the interior, where both the dining area and gallery walls feature excavated forms. In the gallery section, these carved niches create a series of illuminated caverns specifically designed for art display. Above, a stretched scrim diffuses a soft, uniform glow throughout the space, fostering a tranquil and immersive atmosphere. The dining area is centered around a substantial slab of hinoki wood, a sacred and aromatic species traditionally used in sashimi preparation. This focal point is complemented by custom oak chairs. The flooring throughout the establishment draws inspiration from traditional Japanese rock gardens, incorporating large terrazzo pebbles set within a concrete infill. This design choice encourages visitors to feel grounded, enhancing their experience as they view the displayed artworks. '3110NZ' operates dual functions: by day, it serves as an outpost of NANZUKA, a renowned contemporary art gallery managed by Shinji Nanzuka; by night, it transitions into an exclusive omakase restaurant led by Takashi Saito of Sushi Saito. The project, completed in July 2020, covers a total area of 84.77 square meters. Key contributors to the project include LDH Kitchen as the client, Snarkitecture as the design architect, Yu Yamada of SNARK Inc. as the local architect, and NANZUKA providing design direction. The logo design was created by Hajime Sorayama, and construction was executed by Butter Inc. The photography for the project was provided by Ippei Shinzawa. #Snarkitecture #TokyoArchitecture #ArtGalleryDesign #RestaurantInteriorDesign #JapaneseDesign #ExperientialDesign #CulturalSpace #ContemporaryArt #OmakaseDining

The Karimoku Case Study, an offshoot of the Japanese furniture manufacturer Karimoku, is actively engaged in a series of innovative architectural and interior design projects. These endeavors encompass both public spaces and residential homes, developed in collaboration with Japanese architect Keiji Ashizawa and Danish design studio Norm Architects. A consistent and distinct identity, characterized by a thread of design resonance, is evident across all their projects. The eighth project in the Karimoku Case Study series is the Hiroo Residence, situated in Tokyo, Japan. This particular project focused on the Opus Arisugawa Terrace & Residence in central Tokyo. The brand collaborated closely with Ashizawa to craft a living space that embodies minimalism, modesty, and tranquility. The residence benefits from its location within a parkside complex in Tokyo's Hiroo district, offering residents a serene environment. The Hiroo Residence has been furnished extensively with pieces originating from previous Karimoku Case Study projects. This collection comprises 12 distinct furniture items, including armchairs, low sofas, and benches. Additionally, two new pieces were specifically designed for the Hiroo Residence by Ashizawa himself. These new designs, named the 'A-LB01' sideboard and 'N-DC04' dining chair, seamlessly integrate with the existing collection. The furniture is characterized by broad, strong, and sturdy forms, complemented by a light timber finish, which contributes to their minimalist and tranquil aesthetic. These new additions enhance the airy and open ambiance of the apartment. Spanning 200 square meters, the home offers picturesque views of a lush park, fostering a strong connection with nature. This relationship with the natural surroundings served as a primary source of inspiration for the design, leading to an organic and nature-inspired aesthetic. This design choice stands in deliberate contrast to the often-hectic urban environment of Tokyo. The interior design of the Hiroo Residence is a sophisticated blend of minimalist and traditional Japanese elements, infused with contemporary touches. Features such as pocket sliding doors, wooden wall hangings, and woven seating elements create a rich tapestry of textures throughout the space. The design achieves a harmonious balance between curves and corners, and effectively utilizes both natural and electric lighting. The overall result is a home that radiates an organized, zen-like, and profoundly calm atmosphere. #InteriorDesign #JapaneseDesign #ContemporaryDesign #KarimokuCaseStudy #KeijiAshizawa #NormArchitects #TokyoInteriors #MinimalistDesign #HomeDecor

The article explores the integration of popular imagery into architectural design, specifically highlighting the project 'Rock It Suda' by Moonhoon. This project, which features mountain lodges designed to resemble imaginary pop icons, challenges the conventional aversion within architecture to designs that overtly incorporate popular culture references. It suggests that such designs, often dismissed as 'kitsch' or 'not-so-serious architecture,' can in fact demonstrate clever context-aware ingeniousness. The author discusses how architects, throughout their development, are influenced by various objects and images from pop culture, ranging from childhood video games like 'Space Invaders' to personal devices like Mac laptops. These influences often shape their inner world and, consequently, their architectural expressions. The core question posed is how direct references to popular culture can be successfully integrated into architecture without falling into the trap of producing grotesque or embarrassing designs, such as houses shaped like enormous fruits, which are frequently ridiculed online. 'Rock It Suda' is presented as a successful example of how popular imagery can be utilized in architecture. The project manages to distinguish itself by its witty satire and intelligent placement of these pop icons within a fairy-tale-like mountain setting. It avoids the pitfalls of mere imitation, instead offering a nuanced interplay between design and popular culture. The article implies that successful integration requires a conscious intent and a sophisticated understanding of context, moving beyond superficial mimicry. The piece also serves as an 'Architect's Guide to Popular Imagery,' inviting reflection on what works and what doesn't when architects draw inspiration from popular culture. It acknowledges the widespread influence of pop culture on individuals, including architects, and encourages a thoughtful approach to translating these influences into built forms. The discussion underscores that while some architects might shy away from such overt references, projects like 'Rock It Suda' demonstrate that there is a legitimate and creative space for popular imagery within architectural practice, provided it is executed with intelligence and originality. OpenBuildings, the author, is introduced as a community-driven encyclopedia of buildings, suggesting a broader interest in diverse architectural forms and concepts. The article's focus on 'Direct Quotations' implies that it is part of a larger collection examining how architectural designs directly reference external ideas or forms. This context further emphasizes the article's aim to explore unconventional yet successful architectural approaches that bridge the gap between high design principles and everyday popular culture. #ArchitecturalDesign #PopularImagery #PopCulture #Kitsch #RockItSuda #Moonhoon #ArchitecturalInnovation #DesignTheory #OpenBuildings

The exhibition, "Living in Style," showcases five centuries of interior design, spanning from the Renaissance to the 1960s, through a collection of drawings, prints, books, and furniture from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The exhibition, on view through September 8, follows a chronological progression, highlighting the evolution of materials, shapes, colors, and decorative elements as depicted in works on paper. The core of the exhibition consists of drawings and prints focused on designs for domestic interiors, ranging from opulent royal residences to more modest homes. These works illustrate various stages of the design process, including original concepts intended for execution, studies, and records for workshop portfolios or publications, reflecting a continuous fascination with shaping living environments. To provide a richer, three-dimensional context, the exhibition integrates objects and furniture from other curatorial departments. These pieces are chosen either for their direct resemblance to the designs on paper or their ability to illuminate specific aspects of the two-dimensional works. This integration effectively demonstrates characteristics like materiality and spatial impact, which are inherently limited in two-dimensional representations. In several instances, the exhibition offers the unique opportunity to view a design drawing alongside its executed furniture piece in the same gallery, providing a direct comparison of concept and realization. The chronological arrangement narrates the story of stylistic development over the centuries. It begins with Renaissance designs, which drew inspiration from Roman Antiquity and were architecturally oriented, then transitions to the more theatrical Baroque and the elaborate Rococo styles. A significant shift occurred with late eighteenth-century Neoclassicism, a reactionary movement that consciously opposed the aesthetics of previous generations. The subsequent century saw a period of exploration, with taste shifting towards various historical and exotic styles in pursuit of a new and modern artistic direction. The Arts and Crafts Movement and Art Nouveau emerged at the end of this period, incorporating elements of past styles while distinctly moving towards new aesthetic principles. The exhibition progresses through the elegant Art Deco designs and concludes with post-World War II creations, characterized by their simple, refined lines and the innovative use of modern industrial materials. Beyond the overarching narrative of design and style, each object in the exhibition possesses its own unique history. Whether these are groundbreaking examples of innovative design or typical representations of a particular era, information regarding their creators, the context of their creation, and their influence on contemporary and future artists enriches their perception and value. The exhibition uncovers diverse individual stories, such as seventeenth-century German "pirate copies" of Dutch prints, a German father-son duo anonymously promoting their interior designs to a New York clientele, designs for a courtesan-turned-countess's palace, and a bedroom modeled after Queen Marie Antoinette's at Versailles. The collection of interior design works on paper is part of the larger Ornament and Architecture category within the Drawings and Prints department, an area where active collection efforts continue. These objects have entered the museum through various channels, including acquisitions by drawings and print curators over many years, and generous donations from passionate collectors such as Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wrightsman and former curator William Rieder. Works from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries have also been acquired directly from artist estates or, in rare cases, as gifts from the artists themselves. The acquisition of these works aims to both document and complement the museum's extensive collection of physical objects, while simultaneously emphasizing that these designs on paper are recognized as significant works of art in their own right and are collected as an autonomous artistic discipline. #InteriorDesign #DesignHistory #ArchitecturalDrawings #ArtExhibition #MetropolitanMuseumOfArt #FurnitureDesign #DecorativeArts #ArtHistory #CollectionHighlights