Kenchiku April Architecture Tour, 2010 Frank Lloyd Wright and Japan Ryan Cameron Moroney s3199883
I endeavoured with all my energy to participate in this Japan Architecture trip. I subscribe to the theory of experienced based knowledge, thus this trip was beyond all words the most valuable decision I have made for my architectural education. Robert Day provided an absolutely comprehensive travelling experience, that embodied a perfect mixture of traditional and contemporary Japanese fine art and architecture. As a result of this experience, I feel inspired and invigorated to explore the culture and aesthetic language of Japan, and most of all, am greater excited by the prospect of practicing in the field of architecture. Ryan Cameron Moroney
Narita Airport Shimbashi Station Hotel Villa
Wednesday, April 14
10km
Wednesday 14 April 18.55 Arrive Narita Airport 18.55 – 20.00 Clear customs and immigration 20.00 – 21.30 Travel to Shiodome, check into hotel. 21.30 – 22.30 Dinner Shiodome area We arrived anxiously, but on schedule. The train from Narita airport to our Hotel was fantastic. Fast, comfortable and our first glimpse of the amazing endless urban sprawl. The Hotel was luxury I have never experienced and the lobby was on epic corporate proportions.
Narita Airport train terminal
Hotel Villa Fontaine lobby
First of many delicious Japanese feasts.
Shimbashi Sta. Ueno Park LeCobusier Gallery Roppongi Hills Shimbashi Sta.
Thursday, April 15
1km
Thursday 15 April 8.30 – 9.00 Travel to Ueno 9.00 Shimbashi – 9.30 Sta. Guided architecture walking tour of historic Ueno area and Ueno Park. 9.30 Tokyo – 10.30Midtown Guided architecture tour Gallery of Horyuji Treasures by Yoshio Taniguchi –1.0 hour 10.30 – 11.30 Guided architecture tour National Museum of Western Art, by Le Corbusier –1.0 hour. 11.30Kamakura – 12.30 City Lunch break 12.30 – 13.00 Travel to Nogizaka Yokohama City 13.00 – 14.30 Guided architecture tour of National Art Centre Tokyo and surrounds - 1.5 14.30Shimbashi – 15.00 Sta. Walk to Roppongi Hills. 15.00 – 16.00 Rooftop view of Tokyo from Tokyo City View - 1 hour 16.00 – 17.00 Guided architecture walking tour of Roppongi Hills precinct - 1 hour. • Guided architecture walking tour of Tokyo Midtown including 21 - 21 Design • Sight by Tadao Ando - 1 hour. (gallery was closed) • Walk to Gallery MA April • Visit toFriday, Gallery MA16Architecture Gallery – Yoshi Takehara House Projects - 1 hour. 17.00 Formal tour activities conclude.
Tokyo National Museum, The Gallery of Horuji Treasures. Taniguchi and Associates, 1999
Interior View
Concrete ‘silk’ detail
The National Museum of Western Art, Le Corbusier, 1959 Interior Atrium
The National Museum of Western Art, Le Corbusier, 1959 Interior Atrium
Conrete Detail (above) Museum and Me (below)
The Stunning Interior
National Art Center Tokyo, Roppongi, 2006 Kisho Kurokawa & Nihon Sekkei
Exterior Facade
Tokyo Metropolitan Festival Hall, Kunio Meyekawa, 1961 Student of Le Corbusier - Museum of Western Art accross the road.
Tadao Ando, 21_21, Design Sight, Roppongi Tokyo Midtown, 2007 (above and below)
View from ‘Tokyo City View’. Omotesando in right distance
This was an absolutely amazing day whereby I experience where I saw and experienced works of art by LeCorbusier, Kurokawa, Ando, Picasso, Monet, Delacroix, Rembrant, Perinasi and Van Gogh to name a few. So it was clear to me that the trip, although architecture based, was going to include plenty of fine art as well as contemporary art as we saw in the Moma Gallery in Roppingi. One of the most inspiring experiences of the whole trip I was not able to catch on camera and that was the Yoshi Takehara House Projects at Gallery MA. His hand drawings and models where of most of his huge body of projects where simply exquisite.
The Shiodome area around our hotel, became a familiar sight while in Tokyo. Many of our great eating experiences and late night ‘Suntory times’ occured in this very street.
Shimbashi Sta. Tokyo Midtown Kamakura City Yokohama City Shimbashi Sta.
Friday, April 16
5km
Friday 16 April 8.30 – 9.00 Guided architecture tour of Shinbashi area including Nakagin Capsule Building – 0.5 hour. Nakagin Capsule Building Link 9.00 – 9.30 Travel to Tokyo Midtown 10.00 – 12.30 Travel to Kamakura 12.30 – 13.30 Guided architecture tour of Museum of Modern Art Kamakura by Sakakura Architects - 1 hour 13.30 – 14.00 Travel to Daibutsu, Giant Buddha 14.00 – 15.00 Visit Diabutsu – 1.0 hour. 15.00 –15.30 Travel to Gallerie Taisei 16.00 – 17.00 Visit to Gallerie Taisei Architecture Gallery – Le Corbusier Exhibition - 1 hour. 17.00 –18.00 Travel to Yokohama 18.00 – 20.00 Guided architecture walking tour around Yokohama area - 1 hour With the made up time from yesturday we spent two hours at the Foriegn Office Ferry Terminal
Nagakin Capsule Tower, Kisho Kurokawa, 1972
Museum of Modern Art Kamakura, by Sakakura Architects. Student of Le Corbusier
Giant Buddha, Diabutsu, Kamakura
Giant Buddha, Diabutsu, Kamakura
Gallery Taisei, Le Corbusier Exhibition
Foreign Office Architects, International Port Terminal, Yokohama, 2002
Sushi Sashimi Night in the Shiodome Area
Today was again an highly inspiring day, and included an interesting mix of modernist architecture through the Museum of Modern Art and the Le Corbusier exhibition. Then in comparison, we all had a great time walking in, out and around the Ferry Terminal, which it has top be said, is fantastic. The best element for me was that the form of the building informs the way in which one moves about the building. The program undulates with the form. Michael and I ended the great day with one the many great social experiences of the trip. We approached this completely empty eatery for a quite, unassuming meal and ten minutes later the head sushi master turned out to be a ‘famous’ world record holder for sushi throwing and catching to prove its quality.
Shimbashi Sta. Tachikawa City Edo-open air Museum Ginza Shimbashi Sta.
Saturday, April 17
5km
Saturday 17 April 8.30 – 9.30 Travel to Edo Open Air Architectural Museum 9.30 – 12.30 Guided architecture tour of Edo Open Air Architectural Museum – 3.0 hours. 12.30 – 13.30 Lunch Break 13.30 – 15.00 Travel to Ginza. 15.00 – 18.00 Guided architecture walking tour of Ginza area – 3.0 hours. Sony building, Mikimoto 2, Maison Hermes, 18.00 – 20.30 Dinner with Japanese friends at Ganko Japanese Restaurant, Ginza. The Edo open air Museum was real highlight architecturally on my trip. The architecture, helped by the wonderful snow and blossoms, was absolutely breathtaking. Each home had a clear relationship with its us eof natural materials, program and the surrounding nature.
Edo Farmers residence
Sheath Roof
Fusuma and Shoji
Earth floored entrance (above) The simple shoji detailnig
Kimino makers residence and workshop (above)
De Stijl inspired residence 1924 - obvious similarities and differences to the 16th centruy edo architecture
Window view at sitting level. Connection with nature
Mayekawa Residence. Later in Ginza, I purchsed a beautiful magazine with measured drawings of this house.
From top left to bottom right: Sheath roof evaporation, Umbrella from the umbrella makers shop, the edo Bath house, Mens corner of the Bath House, Shoji, Wealthy Farmers Residence
Ginza: Shigaru Ban, Nicolas G. Hayek Center, 2007
Air Conditioning Ducts
Renzo Piano, Maison Hermes,
Ginza becomes closed off to regular traffic on a Saterday or Sunday Afternoon, becoming a fascinating Buolevard.
Shimbashi Sta. Asakusa Yoyogi Omotesando Shimbashi Sta.
Sunday, April 18
1km
Sunday 18 April 9.00 – 9.30 Travel to Asakusa 9.30 – 10.00 Walk to Asahi Beer Hall (Phillipe Starck) 10.00 – 11.00 Guided architecture walking tour of historic Asakusa Kannon Temple andmarket area - 1 hour. 11.00 – 12.00 Lunch break 12.00 – 12.30 Travel to Yoyogi 12.30 – 13.30 Guided tour of GA Gallery Architecture Gallery GA Houses Exhibition - 1.0 hours. 13.30 – 14.30 Walk through Meiji Jingu to Harajuku and Omotesando. 14.30 – 17.00 Guided architecture walking tour of Ometesando/Harajuku area – 2.5 hours. Prada building, Gyre Building, Dior Building, Tods Building, Omotesando Hills, 1964 Olympic Gymnasium 17.00 Formal tour activities conclude
Phillip Starck, Asahi Beer Hall
Amazingly small ‘shard’ home.
GA gallery - GA Houses Exhibition
From left to right: A Marriage in Meiji Jingu, Sake barrels trationally stacked, the Rockabilly pose, Kenzo Tange wonderful 1964 Olympic Gymnasium (highlight of the day), Tadao Ando’s Omotesando Hills 1996-2006
SANAA - Dior
SANAA - Dior
Herzog & de Meuron, Prada Boutique
Christine Phillips & Stasinos Mantzis TOKYO 2010, Site. - I spent at least 6 hours at the site for my design studio, taking photos and video footage for myserlf my my fellow classmates to use as a design tool.
Shimbashi Sta. Urawa Saitama Architects Omiya Urawa Dinner with Kondo San Shimbashi Sta.
Monday, April 19
5km
Monday 19 April 8.30 – 10.00 Depart Hotel, travel to Urawa. 10.00 – 10.30 Walk to Urawa-Kaikan 10.30 – 11.30 Visit to Saitama Architects Association sponsored exhibition of works of the graduating class of Architecture students from Saitama Universities. 11.30 – 12.00 Travel to lunch venue 12.00 – 13.30 Lunch with Saitama Architects Association members. 13.30 – 14.00 Travel to Omiya 14.00 – 15.00 Guided architecture tour with Saitama Architects Association of Omiya Railway Museum 15.00 – 16.30 Possible visit to timber house project under construction. 16.30 – 17.00 Travel to Urawa for dinner 17.00 – 19.30 Japanese dinner with Mr Kondo 19.30 – 20.30 Return to Shiodome.
Typical Urawa prefecture property. - small harvesting land
Recently completed house - beautiful branch hand rail
Cypress Pine bath and door detail.
The House wraps around the tree so the owners children can climb from one level to the next
Guided visit to the amazing new Omiya Railway Museum. - huge inastructure for each exhibit.
Dinner with friends of Robbie from his time spent in Japan.
Shimbashi Sta. Tsukiji Fish Market Kyoto City
Tuesday, April 20
100km
Tuesday 20 April 6.00 – 6.30 Walk to Tsukiji Fish Market 6.30 – 8.30 Walking tour around Tsukiji Fish Market – 2.0 hours 8.30 – 9.30 Return to Hotel for breakfast, Hotel check-out 9.30 – 10.00 Travel to Tokyo Station 9.00 –11.00 Guided architecture walking tour of Marunouchi areas – 2.0 hours. Tokyo Station, Imperial Palace, Tokyo International Forum, Shin Marunouchi Building. 11.30 – 12.00 Return to Hotel, check-out 12.00 – 14.30 Travel to Kyoto 14.30 – 15.00 Travel to Hotel 15.00 – 18.00 Guided architecture walking tour of Kyoto Pontocho Area 18.00 Formal tour activities conclude
Last Morning in Tokyo - Tsukiji Fish Market
Beatiful Industiral Architecture, large tuna fish
Tokyo international Forum, Rafael Vinoly
Kyoto Station, Hiroshi Hara 1997
Kyoto Laneways in the evening
Tadao Ando, TIMES building
Japanese Desert
Kawaramachi Sta. Nijo-jo castle Ashiya Yodoko Guest House Frank Lloyd Wright Kawaramachi Sta.
Wednesday, April 21
10km
Wednesday 21 April 8.30 – 9.00 Depart Hotel, travel to Nijo-jo 9.00 – 10.30 Guided architecture tour of Nijo-jo area – 1.5 hours 10.30 – 11.00 Travel to Kyoto Station 11.00 – 12.00 Travel to Ashiya 12.00 – 13.00 Lunch break 13.00 – 13.30 Travel to Yamamura House, (Yodoko Geihinkan) 13.30 – 15.00 Guided architecture tour of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Yamamura House – 1.5 hours 15.00 – 16.00 Return to Kyoto 16.00 Formal tour activities conclude
Nijo-jo, Kyoto
Nijo-jo, Kyoto
Frank Lloyd Wright, Yamamura House, 1924 - Rooftop
Frank Lloyd Wright, Yamamura House, 1924 - Fireplace, Meeting Room
Frank Lloyd Wright, Yamamura House, 1924 - Entrance level
Frank Lloyd Wright, Yamamura House, 1924 - Embedded into the landscape
Frank Lloyd Wright, Yamamura House, 1924 - Exterior from rooftop
Frank Lloyd Wright, Yamamura House, 1924 - Upper Fireplace, Reading
Frank Lloyd Wright, Yamamura House, 1924 - in tis majestic setting, Ashiya
Made some local and Candian Karaoke freinds, Kyoto
Kawaramachi Sta. Kinkaku-ji Ryoanji Kiyomizu-dera Kodai-ji Kawaramachi Sta.
Thursday, April 22
1km
Thursday 22 April 8.30 – 9.00 Depart Hotel, travel to Kinkaku-ji 9.00 – 10.30 Guided architecture tour of Kinkaku-ji area – 1.5 hours 10.30 – 11.00 Travel to Ryoanji 11.00 – 12.00 Guided architecture tour of Ryoanji-ji area – 1 hour 12.00 – 12.30 Travel to Kiyomizu-dera 12.30 – 13.30 Lunch break 13.30 – 15.00 Guided architecture tour of Kiyomizu-dera – 1.5 hours 15.00 – 16.00 Architecture walking tour to Kodai-ji 16.00 – 17.00 Guided architecture tour of Kodai -ji area – 1 hour 17.00 Formal tour activities conclude
Kinkakuji still inspiring even on a dreadful rainy and busy school trip day
A humbling experience - the cemetary is perched on a heavily sloping hillside
Ryoanji - the iconic Zen garden
Bamboo Forrest - Kodai-ji area
Eave of Kiyomizu-dera and surrounding hillside
Monolithic stone clif-face foundation
Kiyomizu-dera
Ninnaji, Kyoto
Ninnaji, Kyoto - Zen garden
Ninnaji, Kyoto - Zen garden
Kawaramachi Sta. Meiji Mura Nijo-jo castle Kawaramachi Sta. Ashiya Yodoko Guest House Nijo-jo castle Frank Lloyd Wright Kawaramachi Sta. Ashiya Yodoko Guest House Frank Lloyd Wright Kawaramachi Sta.
Friday, April 23 Friday, April 23 10km
Friday 23 April 8.00 – 8.30 Travel to Kyoto Station 8.30 – 11.00 Travel to Meiji-mura. See link. http://www.meijimura.com/ english/index.html 11.00 – 14.00 Guided architecture tour of Meiji-mura including Frank Lloyd Wright’s Imperial Hotel – 3.0 hours 14.00 – 16.30 Return to Kyoto Station 16.30 Formal tour activities conclude
Frank Lloyd Wright, Imperial Hotel, Meiji Mura, 1923 & 1986
Frank Lloyd Wright, Imperial Hotel, Meiji Mura, 1923 & 1986
Frank Lloyd Wright, Imperial Hotel, Meiji Mura, 1923 & 1986 - interior
Frank Lloyd Wright, Imperial Hotel, Meiji Mura, 1923 & 1986 - interior entrance
Frank Lloyd Wright, Imperial Hotel, Meiji Mura, 1923 & 1986 - Oya stone relief
Frank Lloyd Wright, Imperial Hotel, Meiji Mura, 1923 & 1986 - delicate terracotta and Oya stone detailing
Gymnasium, Archery yard, and cotton loom - Meiji Mura
Industrial cotton loom - Meiji Mura
Home to Back Conversion - Meiji Mura - i ahd an amazing experince here when I told the buildings attendant that I was an architecture student and she personally gave me a tour for about half an hour. Taking me from room to room and explainng their purpose and how they are used.
Home to Back Conversion - Meiji Mura
Christian Church - Meiji Mura
Last Night in Japan - Micahel and I found a great live Blue’s bar, and ended up having a ball with band members - all in the name or architecture of course
Meiji Mura is a fantastic cause and educational facility. Like the edo open air Museum, it can be overwhelming to see so many buildings all in one attempt, however the lakeside context its in creates whole days of strolling amongst great pieces of architecture and relaxing and valuable experience.
Kawaramachi Sta. Hikone Castle Kawaramachi Sta.
Saturday, April 24
10km
Saturdau 24 April 8.30 – 9.30 Breakfast in Kyoto. 9.30 – 10.00 Check out of Hotel 10.00 – 11.00 Travel to Hikone 11.00 – 12.30 Guided architecture tour of Hikone Castle (1622), one of only 4 remaining original castles in Japan – 1.5 hours 12.30 – 13.30 Lunch break 13.30 – 14.30 Return to Kyoto 14.30 Formal tour activities conclude Home to Australia
Hikone Castle. Hikone
Hikone Castle, Hikone
Last few minutes to spend on the small canal in Kyoto before we head to Osaka airport
Osaka airport from the mono-rail