Introduction to Toyo Ito
Toyo Ito was born in 1941 in what is now Seoul, South Korea, during the Japanese occupation. He later moved to Japan and graduated from the Department of Architecture at the University of Tokyo in 1965.
After graduation, he worked at Juzhu Qingxun Architectural Design Office from 1965 to 1969. In 1971, he founded his own design office called Urban Robot (URBOT). By 1979, the firm was renamed Ito Fengxiong Architectural Design Office, and he currently serves as its chairman.
In 1986, Toyo Ito gained international recognition with his masterpiece, the "Wind Tower," which established him as a leading figure in contemporary architecture. In 2002, he received the Golden Lion Award for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice Architecture Biennale, and in 2013, he was honored with the Pritzker Architecture Prize, one of the most prestigious awards in the field.
Key Works and Publications
- 1981: *Stylistism and Modern Architecture* by Klein Labor, translated by Song Yongan and Zhang Guoshe
- 1989: *The Variation of the Wind*, published by Qingtushe
- 1991: *Monograph Toyo Ito*, published by Editions du Moniteur (France)
- 1997: *2G Monograph Toyo Ito*, published by GG, Editoriale Gustavo Gili (Spain)
- 2000: *Translucent Architecture*, published by Qingtu Society
- 2001: *GA Architect H Toyo Ito 1970–2001*, published by ADA EDITA
- 2001: *Monograph Toyo Ito*, published by Electa Architecture (Italy)
- 2003: *PLOT*, published by AD A EDITA Tokyo
Toyo Ito’s work has been deeply influenced by philosophers such as Gilles Deleuze and Sosuke Mita. His architectural philosophy emphasizes movement, fluidity, and the concept of "nomadic" design. He has designed numerous public and private projects across Japan and internationally, including the Sendai Mediatheque, completed in 2001, which is considered one of his most iconic works and has inspired a new generation of architects worldwide.
Despite his age, Toyo Ito remains remarkably energetic and creative. Known for his signature white-rimmed glasses, he continues to challenge conventional architectural norms. Although he wasn’t initially passionate about architecture in his youth—he was more into baseball—his early interest was sparked by his grandfather, a wood dealer, and his father, who often sketched floor plans for friends.
At the University of Tokyo, he submitted a plan for the reconstruction of Ueno Park, which won the highest award at the university, giving him the confidence to pursue architecture full-time. Over the past four decades, his portfolio spans a wide range of building types, from residential homes to offices, parks, libraries, shopping centers, and theaters—all uniquely designed.
The Pritzker Jury once praised his work for combining conceptual innovation with precise craftsmanship. His buildings are not bound by minimalism or parametric design; instead, they reflect his independent thinking and refusal to conform to Western trends or follow the footsteps of more famous Japanese architects.
Though he is low-key and often overlooked for years, his contributions have finally been recognized. When he finally received the Pritzker Prize, he expressed that architecture is always shaped by societal constraints. Yet, he believes that even small steps toward freedom can lead to more comfortable spaces. After each project, he reflects on his shortcomings, but this only fuels his drive to push further in future designs.
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