Review: 21st Century Tokyo
July 2nd 2010 01:26
Original Creative Writing:
Tokyo
Link: www.kodansha-intl.com
21st Century Tokyo: A guide to contemporary architecture
Photographer Joshua Lieberman and writers Julian Worrall and Erez Golani Solomon have created a mini-masterpiece for any traveller headed for Tokyo with limited time and a desire to see into some of the most astonishing architecture in Japan.
The appreciation of amazing architecture is not entirely obscure; many people who are not at all involved in building or construction design get quite enthusiastic about structures for a variety of reasons. If you are one of those, like me, you are likely to find a great deal of fascinating historical information, not to mention inspiring photographs of the structures in this compact book.
The introduction and chapters each provide some context and history, and the book's aim to bring enthusiasts up to date is worthy.
21st Century Tokyo: A guide to contemporary architecture is broken down into seven district areas of Tokyo, so it is easy to get a clear bearing on which part of the metropolis you should head for if you want to do a little sightseeing. The sights to see are no less than amazing. And it is not only great big monolithic interpretations of space you will find in this book, there are many subtle and intimate works included as well. These smaller structures are usually created for people to dwell in rather than simply congregate en masse for commerce.
Almost everything from the grand Opera City and New National Theatre, the controversial fifty-four-story Roppongi Hills building through to the Reversible Density Lofts created by Arakawa and Gins is included.
Then of course there are those structures that look like something from the latest science fiction movie such as the remarkable Fuji Television Headquarters and the Aoyama Technical College that really needs to be seen to be understood.
Many of these buildings are so contemporary they have their own web site. The book is in black and white, with most of the photographs providing one clear exterior example of the building. A short history of the building including some background context completes each entry. There is an easy to follow index, maps, and details of the architects and builders all in 240 pages. The size of the book is small enough to carry in a coat pocket, flexible enough to handle often without damaging it and durable enough to last quite some time.
It is not everyone's idea of a good time to go looking at buildings for entertainment, but how fascinating for someone from the West, even with a limited time in the great city of Tokyo to have enough concise information to walk through a district or two and muse at these wonders of the modern age. There are also cultural insights worth gleaning here, particularly for the modern business person working with the Japanese. Historical facts and perspectives that once understood are useful to have up one's sleeve abound. Aspiring architects and designers will find much of interest as well as travellers who simply want to wander around and check things out quietly and independently. It is a humble little book with some of the most extraordinary buildings of the modern age assembled for perusal, intrigue, inspiration and education.
Published by KODANSHA INTERNATIONAL
ISBN978-4-7700-3054-2
The Scribo Group
Kodansha International is distributed by The Scribo Group in Australia & New Zealand.
The Scribo Group
18 Rodborough Rd,
Frenchs Forest NSW 2086 Australia
Marketing and Sales Office:
Tel: 61-2-9021-8179
For Orders:
Tel: 61-2-9975-5566
Fax: 61-2-9975-5599
E-mail: orders@scribo.com.au
URL: www.scribo.com.au
Photographer Joshua Lieberman and writers Julian Worrall and Erez Golani Solomon have created a mini-masterpiece for any traveller headed for Tokyo with limited time and a desire to see into some of the most astonishing architecture in Japan.
The appreciation of amazing architecture is not entirely obscure; many people who are not at all involved in building or construction design get quite enthusiastic about structures for a variety of reasons. If you are one of those, like me, you are likely to find a great deal of fascinating historical information, not to mention inspiring photographs of the structures in this compact book.
The introduction and chapters each provide some context and history, and the book's aim to bring enthusiasts up to date is worthy.
21st Century Tokyo: A guide to contemporary architecture is broken down into seven district areas of Tokyo, so it is easy to get a clear bearing on which part of the metropolis you should head for if you want to do a little sightseeing. The sights to see are no less than amazing. And it is not only great big monolithic interpretations of space you will find in this book, there are many subtle and intimate works included as well. These smaller structures are usually created for people to dwell in rather than simply congregate en masse for commerce.
Almost everything from the grand Opera City and New National Theatre, the controversial fifty-four-story Roppongi Hills building through to the Reversible Density Lofts created by Arakawa and Gins is included.
Then of course there are those structures that look like something from the latest science fiction movie such as the remarkable Fuji Television Headquarters and the Aoyama Technical College that really needs to be seen to be understood.
Many of these buildings are so contemporary they have their own web site. The book is in black and white, with most of the photographs providing one clear exterior example of the building. A short history of the building including some background context completes each entry. There is an easy to follow index, maps, and details of the architects and builders all in 240 pages. The size of the book is small enough to carry in a coat pocket, flexible enough to handle often without damaging it and durable enough to last quite some time.
It is not everyone's idea of a good time to go looking at buildings for entertainment, but how fascinating for someone from the West, even with a limited time in the great city of Tokyo to have enough concise information to walk through a district or two and muse at these wonders of the modern age. There are also cultural insights worth gleaning here, particularly for the modern business person working with the Japanese. Historical facts and perspectives that once understood are useful to have up one's sleeve abound. Aspiring architects and designers will find much of interest as well as travellers who simply want to wander around and check things out quietly and independently. It is a humble little book with some of the most extraordinary buildings of the modern age assembled for perusal, intrigue, inspiration and education.
Published by KODANSHA INTERNATIONAL
ISBN978-4-7700-3054-2
The Scribo Group
Kodansha International is distributed by The Scribo Group in Australia & New Zealand.
The Scribo Group
18 Rodborough Rd,
Frenchs Forest NSW 2086 Australia
Marketing and Sales Office:
Tel: 61-2-9021-8179
For Orders:
Tel: 61-2-9975-5566
Fax: 61-2-9975-5599
E-mail: orders@scribo.com.au
URL: www.scribo.com.au
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David Jobling
