Japanese architecture explored in new Sydney exhibition

A new exhibition at Sydney’s Japan Foundation Gallery explores the evolution of Japanese architecture and will run from the 2 April to 1 May.

The Japan Foundation in partnership with the Architectural Institute of Japan are bringing the exhibition called 'Parallel Nippon', to Australia which will feature designs from Japan's 'most influential' architects such as Kengo Kuma, Tadao Ando, Toyo Ito, Kenzo Tange, SANAA and more.

The exhibition will include 100+ large-scale photo panels of landmark designs such as Toyo Ito’s Sendai Mediatheque, architectural models and video footage.

The decade of interest is specifically from 1996 – 2006, covering the transition from the ‘bubble’ to ‘post bubble’ period, a time when Japan’s birth-rate was declining, an aging population, increasing social awareness and urban migration.

Parallel Nippon is presented and divided into four themes: Urban, Life, Culture and Living, a cross-sectional view of society. Part one, on display from 2 – 13 April, will focus on the first two themes, ‘Urban’ and ‘Life’, followed by Part two that examines ‘Culture’ and ‘Living’ from 17 April – 1 May.

Due to the large scale of the exhibition, the gallery will be closed for four days while the works gets changed over.

Toyo Ito’s Sendai Mediatheque. Photo: Nakasa & Partners Inc.

The exhibition aims to portray a new generation of architects re-evaluating the ‘traditional’ approach in response to the changing landscape.

"Their quest led to radical results and creative possibilities for the new era and beyond."

Parallel Nippon first opened at the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography in 2007 and is now touring internationally. The exhibition will travel to Perth, Brisbane and Canberra later this year.

To find out more, click here.

Photo: Weekend House. Office of Ryue Nishizawa; 1998