Even if you visualize the scenery you want to see and create a model that is close to the actual size, you won't understand until you see about half of it. There are always discoveries that are different from what you imagined. In fact, Ishigami believes that it is important to keep to yourself the situation that you only know about 50% of. ``Even if the idea is the same, the site is different and the historical background of the building is different, so it becomes completely different, and that is where the major characteristics of the architecture are born.There is a specific client and there are given conditions, Since we are designing something as an answer, it is natural that each product will be different, so we will always need to experiment."

A pavilion with multiple meanings that harmonizes the landscape with man-made structures.

One of his works that combines natural landscapes with experimental structures is the Serpentine Pavilion in England. The pavilion, which is created by a newly selected architect every year, attracts attention from around the world, and this is the fourth pavilion created by a Japanese person.

“The conditions for the Serpentine are that it is a temporary pavilion and that it is on land with a history.At the same time, the purchaser of the pavilion does not know where it will ultimately be built. I wanted to create something that would connect over a wide range of areas.I envisioned a hill-like structure that would become part of the surrounding landscape, and I referenced primitive architectural techniques."

“Old techniques have certain universal similarities. For example, the stone roof used in the Serpent Gallery can be found in Europe and in Asia. One of its characteristics is that it can be used without any processing.The materials and techniques are versatile, and because it is a natural material, it can be used in landscape architecture. An old technique that involves simply layering stones. The thin pillars that support the roof could only be created using modern technology. Old and new technologies, traditional and modern, site-specific and stateless and universal. Various values ​​are connected.

``Landscapes have an abstract aspect, so it's interesting to be able to associate something different with them.In my mind, I was imagining a big black bird while studying a stone roof that looked like a hill.'' Each stone looks like a feather, and the thin pillars look like rain. It's like a big black bird flying in the rainy London sky." The architectural expression achieved through precise structural calculations has a soft, fantasy-like quality to it. Perhaps this is why Ishigami's architecture gives off a sense of generosity.

Rebuilding the "old". “House & Restaurant” challenge

While many projects are underway overseas, ``House & Restaurant'' is targeted for completion in Japan by this summer. The owner has previously asked me to design the restaurant's interior, and this is my second time. The request was for ``something that feels old, as if you could feel the passage of time, and something that will remain forever.'' In order to realize this, it is necessary to consider ``what is the antiquity of architecture?'' The definition of Ishigami is as follows. All new architecture is made by hand. From there, as it changes over time as it is blown by the rain and wind, it blends into the landscape like ruins and ruins, and even dissolves into the landscape. If we create something that is somewhere between nature and man-made, wouldn't it be possible to create something old while still retaining its architectural form?

``As a way to create an ``intermediate thing,'' we decided to dig a hole, pour concrete, and dig out the surrounding soil.In this way, people would not be able to completely control it, and they would be able to control the soil condition. You can create a building while leaving it to natural conditions, and what you end up with will be something that is indistinguishable from any era, or rather, something new. I hope that an ``old'' architecture that has never been seen before will be completed.''

A cave-like wine curve restaurant. Although it is a high-end restaurant, it is not bound by formality, and they want to create an atmosphere that makes eating enjoyable. "I feel that food should match the local scenery and buildings. In that way, the cuisine is inspired by the building. I think that's the way it should be."

What kind of new experience will "House & Restaurant" bring to the people who visit it?

→Creation and ideals of architect Junya Ishigami (Part 1)

Junya Ishigami

建築 家

Born in Kanagawa Prefecture in 1974. He completed a master's degree in architecture at Tokyo University of the Arts, Graduate School of Fine Arts. After working at Kazuyo Sejima Architectural Design Office, she established Junya Ishigami Architectural Design Office in 2004. Her main projects include Kanagawa Institute of Technology KAIT Workshop (Kanagawa Prefecture) in 2008. Projects are underway both domestically and internationally, including in Russia and China. Major exhibitions include the Japan Pavilion representative at the 2008th International Architecture Exhibition at the Venice Biennale in 11, the 2010 "New Size of Architecture" exhibition (Toyota Municipal Museum of Art), and the 2018 "Junya Ishigami Free Architecture" exhibition (Paris).・Cartier Foundation for Contemporary Art). He has also received numerous awards, including the 2009 Architectural Institute of Japan Award (for his work), the 2010 Golden Lion Award at the 12th Venice Biennale International Architecture Exhibition, the 2010 Mainichi Design Award, and the 2012 Agency for Cultural Affairs Commissioner's Award in the International Art Category.