Categories
Architecture Design

Picchio Visitors Centre and Ice Rink

The latest project from Klein Dytham Architecture (my ex-employers, while working at PechaKucha) is the Picchio Visitors Centre and Ice Rink in Karuizawa — Dezeen has a full post showing off the beautiful complex.

Categories
Architecture Stores

Ginza Place

ginza-place-by-kleindytham

The latest project from my former employer (and good friends) Klein Dytham Architects is a gorgeous one, and takes the form of the brand new Ginza Place building in Ginza, which hosts swanky new showrooms for Nissan and Sony. It opened today. Here’s how KDa’s Mark Dytham describes the project:

Our latest project, Ginza Place, opens to the public tomorrow. Located on one of the most iconic corners in the world, the Ginza 4-Chome crossing. Klein Dytham architecture in partnership with Taisei Corporation were responsible for the facade design and the overall massing of this new 11 storey building.

The facade, made from 5315 individual aluminium panels reflects the craftsmanship and quality which is synonymous with Ginza and JapanThe project massing takes its cues from the historic Wako building opposite with it’s clear horizontal banding which allow balconies on the 3rd and 7th floors to have unprecedented views of Ginza, Chuo Dori and Harumi Dori.

Ginza Place is a gateway to the re-birth of Ginza and has already become a new landmark for Tokyo and Japan ready for the build up to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The building is home to Nissan and Sony’s new global flagship showrooms and 5 restaurants and cafes.

You’ll find a few renderings in this Spoon & Tamago post, and we can expect to see more photos soon.

Categories
Architecture Design

Secret Garden

I have to say I’m quite a fan of these secret gardens you hear about, located on Tokyo rooftops. The one pictured above is not in Tokyo, but rather in Isezaki (Gunma prefecture), and was designed by Ryuichi Ashizawa Architects. I’ve been told that KDa‘s Astrid Klein has one of her own.

Categories
Architecture Design Events

Dezeen Stumbles on KDa Show

Although it’s great that Dezeen has decided to cover KDa‘s Gallery MA show by posting a collection of photos, they really do need to get their facts straight — the exhibition is not “on show,” it was held earlier this year from April to June.

Categories
Architecture Design Events

Crystal Delight

If you have the chance, come celebrate Mark Dytham and Astrid Klein‘s 20 years in Japan at SuperDeluxe tonight (November 1, 18:00-22:00, free entrance). For this one night, the 20 Crystal Collection — models of their works encased in crystals — that was first shown earlier this year during their Gallery MA show will be on display.

Categories
Design Events

Good Design Award 2009

The results for this year’s edition of the Good Design Award were recently announced, and you can have a look at all the winning products through the nifty Good Design Finder. Have a look at the top 15 here, which includes this summer’s giant Gundam statue in Odaiba (now sadly gone), and the Panasonic Massage Chair pictured above. The reason I highlight the chair is because I’ve had the great joy of using it on a few occasions, and it’s simply amazing — Panasonic was kind enough to send one to the KDa office, since Astrid Klein was part of the chair’s ad campaign.

You can see an exhibition of the top winning products at the Tokyo Midtown Design Hub in Roppongi until November 8.