Toyo Ito wins the 2013 Pritzker Architecture Prize

Museum of Architecture (images via: archdaily)

Yesterday it was announced that Japanese architect Toyo Ito will receive the 2013 Pritzker Architecture Prize, which is often called architecture’s Nobel Prize as it is the most highly regarding architectural prize in the world.

Toyo Ito’s work is universal and timeless. Although his buildings are all very different in style and they respond perfectly to their context, a sense of calmness and tranquility present in all of his buildings. Toyo Ito’s overall work has been praised for its fluidity, beauty and balance between the physical and virtual world but I find his following quote typifies his architectural ethos:

“When one building is completed, I become painfully aware of my own inadequacy, and it turns into energy to challenge the next project. Probably this process must keep repeating itself in the future. Therefore, I will never fix my architectural style and never be satisfied with my works.”

Here is a selection of my favorite buildings by Toyo Ito.

Mikimoto 2 (images via: openbuildings)

Tama Art Univesity Library (images via: openbuildings)

Za Koenji Public Theatre (images via: openbuildings)

Ken Iwata Mother and Child Museum (images via: openbuildings)

The Holographic Trend

The latest advancements in holographic materials and applications definitely suggest that the holographic trend is here to stay. Although holograms are futuristic, almost by definition, the sheer, pastel colors that are created by the diffracted light exert a romantic and soft effect.  When holographic materials are used in innovative and creative ways they can create magic! Here are some examples from various disciplines:

Architecture

The Holographic Cube Building by Hiro Yamagata was originally created for the Guggenheim Bilbao Museum and it covered two buildings in holographic panels. The spectacular lighting effect that was created transformed the two buildings into dazzling works of holographic art. (images via: flickr and erickd)

Interiors

Romanian studio Re-Act, together with architect Mario Kuibus created the interior for this flat, whose design is creating a holographic effect. (image via: designrulz)

Fashion

From fashion heavy-weight Burberry Prorsum (left) to Hugo Boss (middle) and Jonathan Saunders (right), most fashion houses have celebrated the futuristic-looking holographic trend by using metallic colours and high-sheen fabrics. (images via: style.com)

Art

American artist Jen Stark, used holographic paper and acid-free foam board to create this magnificent art piece called “Holographic Square”. (image via: jenstark.com)

Graphics

I find the graphic exploration of the holographic trend intriguing. Perfect example of how impressive and eye catching holography can be when used creatively, are these business cards that were designed by Denis Mallet for the Parisian art merchant Julien Hauchecorne. (images via: plentyofcolour)

Lazer-Cut Books on De-centralization

London based interior architect Myrtle Tzortzi has created two laser-cut books, which offer a critical view of the role of de-centralization in Greece. More specifically, her work explores how cultural habits are transported and transformed  in a period of economic crisis and social instability. Her two intricately designed books are the result of extensive fieldwork. Tzortzi interviewed people that have experienced de-centralization and she tried to narrate their journey in her books. As each book is opened and moved through, its pages affirm a temporal and spatial sequence, within which certain cultural traits are ‘carried over’ and others are abruptly lost.