Some time ago I visited the Tokyo Architecture Collection, which is a competition for 15 chosen Architecture Design Master students to exhibit their graduation works. All of them have a different theme or concept and they will present it to the examinators. The winner will receive money to improve their skills and creativity in architecture.
I have chosen a few projects to present here.
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| Entrance Hall |
Project 1: water.
This student made 15 study models in 150 hours to examine how water can be used in architecture.
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| A girl who made 15 study models in 150 hours. |
Project 2: bird watching.
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| A study for watching birds from above ground level. |
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| Final model for watching birds. |
Project 3: living in harmony between the mountains and the sea.
This idea emerged as a reaction on the Kanto natural disaster and the student wanted to create an environment profitable for both humans and nature.
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| Houses in the mountains. |
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| Houses next to the sea. |
Project 4: living in different levels.
I liked the fact that the model was made in sections so you can have a good look at the inside of the design.
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| It was really fun to walk around this model. |
Project 5: opening up a space to wind and closing it for rain.
This design reminded me of a project I did with the title Miyazaki Atelier in which the walls can be opened and closed by steel slabs. Though the functions are different: one is for water and air and mine was for controlling light.
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| Cubical shaped houses stand inside the wooden frame. |
Project 6: playing with mathematical shapes.
In Japan I noticed that a lot of models are made by styrene board or wood. At my school in the Netherlands we use all kinds of materials and I was glad to see one student working with steel and experimenting with the beautiful colours and characteristics of it.
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| A lovely imperfection of the shapes. |
Project 7: a stable for horses.
To me it looked like a car park designed for horses. It was an interesting concept to "park" horses on upper levels. Especially in areas with limited space this might be a good solution.
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| If you look closely, you can see a horse walking the slope upwards. |
Project 8: Hotel hanging from a wall.
My favorite was the laser cut card board model of a hotel hanging from the edge of a cliff. At first the model was made out of very thin and fragile parts and above that it was hard to believe that this construction would not tumble down into the valley.
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| For some reason this design also reminded me of the mines in the movie The Mask of Zorro. |
