Nikken Sekkei - PalaceSide Building
This office building in Tokyo marks the beginning of a new collaboration with Nikken, and revisiting a masterpiece from the 1960s was a strong experience. The façade work is incredibly precise, and the public spaces carry a distinct atmosphere that feels transported from another era. The oval-shaped staircase is a highlight, revealing the elegance and craftsmanship of the original design.
Zaha Hadid Architects - Maxxi Museum
Visiting this museum in Rome during a trip to Italy was the first encounter with a built project by Zaha Hadid, and the experience was unforgettable. The flowing lines, dramatic ramps, and shifting light create a sense of movement throughout the building. Exploring the interiors revealed a space that feels bold yet fluid, offering a powerful setting for contemporary art and architecture.
Toyo Ito - Sendai Mediatheque
A true landmark of contemporary Japanese architecture, the Sendai Mediatheque remains as fresh as ever. Having lived in Sendai, the building carries a personal significance, and returning to photograph it highlighted how timeless the space feels. The transparent structure, floating floors, and iconic tubes create an open, flexible environment that continues to serve as one of the city’s most vibrant public gathering places.
Shigeru Ban - Mt. Fuji World Heritage Center
This tourist center in Fuji City offers a striking experience, especially with the inverted reflection of the mountain in the central water basin. The architecture frames Mt. Fuji with clarity and calm, creating a strong dialogue between building and landscape. Inside, the exhibition flows naturally upward, echoing the ascent of the mountain. A beautifully crafted place where structure, view, and atmosphere align perfectly.
Akihisa Hirata - Tree-ness House
This family house in Tokyo marked my first collaboration with Hirata-san, and the two-day commission became a truly engaging experience. With the architects present on site, we explored creative ways to reveal the project’s complex exterior and its layered interior spaces. The structure offers shifting perspectives at every level, allowing the shoot to capture the full depth, rhythm, and tree-like character of the house.
Toyo Ito - Tama Art University Library
At Tama Art University, this library stands out as one of the most memorable I’ve visited. I came for a video shoot and was struck by the atmosphere created by the sweeping concrete arches. The space feels open, calm, and beautifully crafted — a powerful environment for both study and architecture.
Kazuyo Sejima - Hokusai Sumida Museum
This Museum in Tokyo stands out with its sharp geometry and reflective façade. On a sunny afternoon, the building mirrors the blue sky, creating a striking visual clarity. Inside, the exhibition layout is clean and fluid, echoing the calm precision of the exterior’s beautifully executed surface.
Sou Fujimoto - Envision Pavilion
The Envision Pavilion in Shanghai extends the spirit of his Serpentine Pavilion to a much larger scale. While in the city for another project, attending the opening ceremony offered a clear view of how the lattice structure grows into an immersive, cloud-like environment, expanding the original concept with impressive spatial depth.
Sou Fujimoto - House Vision 2016
I had the unique opportunity to visit Sou Fujimoto’s pavilion before it officially opened. The experience was truly captivating—walking through the open wooden framework, I could feel the fluid spatial rhythms that Fujimoto intended. Each step shifted my perspective, turning what initially seemed like a serene, minimalist structure into a vibrant conversation between the architecture itself and the people moving within it. This pavilion masterfully dissolves the boundaries between built space and human interaction, creating an immersive journey that constantly evolves with each visitor’s presence.
Sou Fujimoto - Naoshima Pavilion
On Seto Inland Sea island, I visited Sou Fujimoto’s Naoshima Pavilion and attended its opening ceremony. The experience was truly inspiring, blending delicate aesthetics with innovative structure. It perfectly harmonizes contemporary architecture with the surrounding landscape, creating a captivating visual and spatial experience.