"Japan has perfected the art of questioning the norm"
Japan is having a moment. Michelle Ogundehin considers what the West can learn from the country's approach to design and culture. More about "Japan has perfected the art of questioning the norm"
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Suzuko Yamada Architects casts furniture within walls of concrete Japanese house
An exposed concrete shell incorporates walls, stairs and furniture at Nakano House, a "cave-like" residence in the heart of Tokyo designed by Japanese studio Suzuko Yamada Architects. More about Suzuko Yamada Architects casts furniture within walls of concrete Japanese house
Shingle-covered tea room for one sits in Kyoto mountains
Charred-cedar shingles cover the chimney-shaped form of this micro tearoom in Japan, designed by local studio 2m26 in collaboration with French practice Onomiau. More about Shingle-covered tea room for one sits in Kyoto mountains
Postalco turns storage boxes into hackable furniture for Karimoku exhibition
Postalco Design Studio rethought the concept of storage in Stakko Chunks and Blocks, an exhibition at the Karimoku Research Centre in Tokyo. More about Postalco turns storage boxes into hackable furniture for Karimoku exhibition
Kengo Kuma models Qatar Pavilion on traditional sailing boats
Architecture studio Kengo Kuma and Associates stretched white fabric over a scalloped timber structure for the Qatar Pavilion at the Expo 2025 Osaka, which contains an exhibition designed by Dutch studio AMO. More about Kengo Kuma models Qatar Pavilion on traditional sailing boats
Spiralling ramp of timber and glass wraps Czech pavilion at Osaka Expo
A spiralling structure of cross-laminated timber and glass surrounds a circular events space at the Czech Pavilion for Expo 2025 Osaka, which was designed by European studio Apropos Architects. More about Spiralling ramp of timber and glass wraps Czech pavilion at Osaka Expo
I IN designs Blue Bottle Coffee in Takanawa to carry "the essence of history into the present"
Japanese studio I IN has created a cafe for Blue Bottle Coffee in Takanawa, Tokyo, with a design that references historic stone gates and aims to promote human interaction. More about I IN designs Blue Bottle Coffee in Takanawa to carry "the essence of history into the present"
Nikken Sekkei designs energy-generating Japan Pavilion for Expo 2025 Osaka
Architecture studio Nikken Sekkei has collaborated with Nendo founder Oki Sato to create a demountable Japan Pavilion made from steel and cross-laminated timber for Expo 2025 Osaka. More about Nikken Sekkei designs energy-generating Japan Pavilion for Expo 2025 Osaka
Shigeru Ban uses cardboard and bamboo for Blue Ocean Dome pavilion
Cardboard tubes are among the materials that Japanese architect Shigeru Ban used to construct the Blue Ocean Dome pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, which contains exhibits by designer Kenya Hara. More about Shigeru Ban uses cardboard and bamboo for Blue Ocean Dome pavilion
Manuel Herz references "audacious spirit of Expo '70" for Swiss pavilion
A chain of plastic spheres fronts the Switzerland Pavilion at the Expo 2025 Osaka, which Manuel Herz Architects designed as a homage to the Expo '70. More about Manuel Herz references "audacious spirit of Expo '70" for Swiss pavilion
3D-printed railway station in Japan features in today's Dezeen Agenda
The latest edition of our weekly Dezeen Agenda newsletter features a 3D-printed railway station in Japan. Subscribe to Dezeen Agenda now. More about 3D-printed railway station in Japan features in today's Dezeen Agenda
World's largest wooden structure encircles Expo 2025 Osaka
A gridded wooden structure formed using traditional joinery makes up The Grand Ring, which Japanese studio Sou Fujimoto Architects has used to encircle the Expo 2025 Osaka in Japan. More about World's largest wooden structure encircles Expo 2025 Osaka
Purple flowers crown thatched sheep pen in Japan by 2m26
A thick thatched roof topped with purple iris flowers shelters this timber sheep pen in Kyoto, Japan, which has been designed by local architecture practice 2m26. More about Purple flowers crown thatched sheep pen in Japan by 2m26
Anrealage adds cooling fans to uniforms for Osaka Expo's NTT Pavilion
A jacket with built-in electric fans designed by Japanese fashion brand Anrealage keeps staff cool at the Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation pavilion at the Osaka Expo. More about Anrealage adds cooling fans to uniforms for Osaka Expo's NTT Pavilion
"World's first" 3D-printed railway station built in Japan in six hours
Japanese company Serendix has completed what it claims is the world's first 3D-printed railway station in Arida, Japan, which was constructed in the hours between the last and first train services. More about "World's first" 3D-printed railway station built in Japan in six hours
Lina Ghotmeh brings "sense of voyage" to Osaka Expo with boat-like Bahrain Pavilion
A web of wooden joinery designed to mimic the rafters of a boat frames the Bahrain Pavilion, designed by Lebanese architect Lina Ghotmeh for the Expo 2025 Osaka. More about Lina Ghotmeh brings "sense of voyage" to Osaka Expo with boat-like Bahrain Pavilion
Foster + Partners creates "a village" for Saudi Arabia at Expo 2025 Osaka
Angular buildings linked by street-like passages distinguish the Saudi Arabia Pavilion at Osaka Expo, designed by British studio Foster + Partners and design agency Journey to mimic traditional villages in the kingdom. More about Foster + Partners creates "a village" for Saudi Arabia at Expo 2025 Osaka
"Tessellated veil" cloaks UK Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka
London-based studio Woo Architects referenced the industrial revolution in its design for the UK Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, which features a pixelated facade made from folded, perforated metal. More about "Tessellated veil" cloaks UK Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka
"Grand yet minimalistic" USA Expo Osaka pavilion features massive translucent cube
US studio Trahan Architects has revealed America's pavilion for Expo Osaka 2025, a gateway-like structure that combines Japanese and American influences and is centred around a translucent cube. More about "Grand yet minimalistic" USA Expo Osaka pavilion features massive translucent cube
Marutau Arqui builds Octa House on former car parking space
Architecture studio Marutau Arqui has completed a home with a multi-faceted red facade on a tight plot on Japan's Shikoku island. More about Marutau Arqui builds Octa House on former car parking space