Blog

ブログ

NEBUTA NO IE WARASSE 090623

The view of the site hasn’t changed much. The piling works are half way witth 177 piles installed.

A view of the piles readied for installation.

At the same time the temporary earth retaining is installed. This will be done around the whole builing so that ground water can be pumped out before the foundation concrete works can start. In this image a small area is blocked off there where a concrete slab was found; a remainder of a previous building that couldn’t easily be removed. Only along the seaside this temporary barrier will become permanent. This will also facilitate the works that need to be carried out on the quay walk scheduled to be executed at the same time of the construction of Nebuta No Ie.
There is a risk that the earth around the building would other wise seep in to the sea complicating the construction. In the back of this image a view of the rig used for the piling.

In this iamge the blue machine installs the temporary earth retaining wall, often called in Japanese Sheet Piling as the structure basically consists of interlocing corugated sheets of steel. This machine rests on top of the installed aprt moves along with each newly installed sheet.

In the meantime work also progresses on this years Nebuta’s. A peak into one of the tents of Warasse Land nearby the site shows the contours of a dragon still in its pristine white state. A few more pices of paper and the “make-up” can be aplied.

Except for the large beast often small goodies such as these fish are made.

NEBUTA NO IE – WA RASSA 090611

Since the inception of the project we have been loking for alternative methodes to create a black concrete with a shiny surface in which the shapes of the 5 Nebuta floats reflect as if floating on water. Such is the design intend. There are also straightforward requirements such as the fact that the floor has to support the weight of the Nebuta floats, easy in maintenance, not slippery, fitting in the constrcution schedule, not cheap looking and all for a limited cost.A rather difficult problem, but a very important decision as most of the buildings floors will be finished with this materialand is therefore a very dominant factor in the end quality of the project. The straight forward solution is colored concrete that makes use of pigments sprinkled onto the concrete floor before it dries up and apply a protection layer by painting it over with an transparent epoxy type of finish.

In this ongoing study we made, today, a short study trip to a showroom where a black concrete floor was realized. Even if the surface was small it did give a good impressions of how a larger surface would be. This method, imported from the USA, is a treatment of the actual concrete floor slab that is colored and polished. The result looked quite close to the design intend we just wonder about the cost.

NAKED TOKYO: 2009 photography exhibition


What: NAKED TOKYO: 2009
When: Friday, June 26, 2009
Where: SuperDeluxe, in Roppongi (http://www.super-deluxe.com

Time: 6:30 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.
Entrance fee: ¥1,000

We are pleased to announce that the next Naked Tokyo exhibition will take place on Friday, June 26, 2009, at SuperDeluxe in Roppongi, 3-1-25 Nishi Azabu, B1F. (http://www.super-deluxe.com)

NAKED TOKYO: 2009 will features the work of a group of more than 40 photographers from around the world and will include portraits, street scenes, and nudes, as well as conceptual and abstract images, all reflecting the theme “Naked + Tokyo”: shimmering, elegant nudes, anonymous streets, Edo kitsch, midnight blossoms, Zen soliloquies, nightclub glamour, wicked women, dangerous men, and shocking nudes.

Participating photographers are listed on page 2; publicity photos can be found on page 3.

For more information on Naked Tokyo: 2009, please contact NakedTokyo@gmail.com.

For more information on past Naked Tokyo exhibits, please access http://www.nakedtokyo.com.

Participating photographers:

Jonathan Adams,
Alexis Alvarez, US/Tokyo
Aydasara Ortega,
Carla Berger, US
Bruno Quinquet, France/Tokyo
Mark Oscar Canios, Philippines/Yokohama
David Coll Blanco,
Sam Davis ,
Camilla Douraghy, US-Iran/Switzerland
Aaron Lee Fineman, US/NY
Barbara Flatten, Germany/Tokyo
Frank la Riviere, Netherlands/Tokyo
Randy Gibbs,
Harold Godsoe,
Carla Hernandez, Spain/Tokyo
Max Hodges, US/Tokyo
Pawel Jaszczuk,
Leslie Kennah,
Amber Khan,
Jan Krasnan,
Laura Liverani, Italy
Keigo Moriyama, Italy/Tokyo
Ellen Nepilly,
Nikola Tamindzic,
Nathan Novak, US
Diane Parisella, US/New Mexico
Benjamin Parks, Canada/Tokyo
Patricia Prado,
Olga Poppius, Finland/Barcelona
Gary Heayes, Tokyo
Benjamin Robins. Australia/Tsujido, Japan
Tim Rudder, Australia/Tokyo
Patrick Saringer, Austria/NYC
Owen Schaefer
Michael Scott (Jeremy Brooke)
Francesco Serafini
Janna Stern
Toomas Altnurme, Estonia
Quynh-Anh Trinhxuan, Tokyo
Katsuyoshi Ueno, Japan

NEBUTA NO IE – WA RASSE 090527

Today we, Mochizuki san, Nakata san and myself, traveled to Hachinohe for an inspection of the steel manufacturers factory. The production has not yet started so this inspection was more a preparation. Arriving by Hayate at the station around lunch time we were first taken for a lunch half way the rout to the factory. The driver suddenly drove off the tarmac road into a graveled path sloping down to this shovel shed on the rocks facing the sea. The surprise came upon entering. A rather nice restaurant unfolded that served a great lunch for what we heard not quite reasonable price.

An this was the view from the restaurant!

After the detailed discussions and the checking of the dimensioning on the CD|AD drawings was finished an unusual part of the inspection took place. This was the calibration of the tape measure to be used on site. This tape measure was compared to the one used in the factory, by putting them both under the same tension and check if there would be a difference at every 5 meter point. Only a small divergence was measured. Most of the dimensioning is now computer operated therefore the tape measures will not be used so often.

A number of connections were check with the help of 1:1 scale drawings printed on polyester film and spread out on the floor. This was the first time we could get a feel of the true scale of the structure.

After the inspection we were shown around in the factory and explained the production flow.

NEBUTA NO IE – WA RASSE 090514 site visit

The site after the heavy rains of today. Because of these circumstances only 1 pile was installed. The next one was planned for friday the 15th of May. Eventually, because of trouble with the equipment, the second pile was installed on Monday 18th of May.

The construction of this years Nebutas has started. Through the entrance of one of the tents specially erected for the construction I could get a glimps of the wire and stick sub-structure being erected.

Today I attended the test piling session. First the dimensions of both piles were checked followed by the an inspection of the boring head (two diameters are used 750 for the shaft and for the last bit a widening to a 1100 diameter), calibration of the pile driver, the positioning of the pile hole, followed by the test boring and the inspection of the cement milk mix. First the two holes are drilled after which the piles are installed.
The inspection is not only meant to verify that the material is as specified but also to see the work flow. Each team has a different way of working and it needs to be ascertained that each step proceeds without problems. Today it was planned to install two piles but because of the weather conditions only one could be completed. On a day with good weather 4 piles are planned to be installed.

Also today the first audit was successfully completed.

After the drilling of the hole up to 27m the first part of the pile is inserted. The second part of the pile is welded on site to the first part to create a pile of the required 29m length. this image shows the welding of the two parts together.

NEBUTA NO IE – WA RASSE 090513 site visit

Today travelled to Aomori for the weekly meeting with the contractor Kajima JV. For the 14th the first two piles are planned as a test and Nakata san and myself need to be present to inspect the process. Today only basic preparations are made such as the delivery of the piles on site. Both the machine for the cement milk (light green in the back) and the pile driver are on stand-by.

N-HOUSE in Contemporary House Design by daab

N-House was published in Contemporary House Design a book published by the German publisher daab.
From the press release: With concise photography and numerous plans, this book compiles the worldʼs most interesting houses designed by renowned architects that meet the complex demands of todayʼs life. Family homes, larger residences or luxurious villas made from materials such as stone, wood, glass or concrete in different locations such as Starnberg, Los Angeles or Sydney – they have all been designed in a time where social and climate change have influenced a change in traditional values. Their development is affected by location, environment and climate, and also by the individual needs and ideas of the clients.
Contemporary House Design
ISBN: 978-3-86654-057-6
Format 22,5 x 22,5 cm
384 Pages Hardcover
Text: English, German, Spanish, French, Italian
Retail Price 39,95 Euro

NEBUTA NO IE – WA RASSE 090428 site visit

Travelled to Aomori on the 27th at night for the weekly meeting on the 28th.
On the Tuesday the 28th the newly installed Mayor (in function since the 24th) of Aomori Mr Shikanai (61) arrived at 9:30 for a quick site visit. In general terms the project was explained to him. Mr Shikanai had won the recent election, defeating incumbent mayor Mr Sasaki (71) who had been the this position for a steady 20 years, as an independent on a platform to review all large projects. The Aomori election outcome was one of the big surprises of all the local elections taking place in 19 cities all over Japan and was even mentioned in the Japan Times.

The site was in pristine condition ready for the construction. Some small issues remained with some remaining foundation concrete and piles of previous buildings. Some would be removed in the next days some piles that were not in the way would be left.

Japan Times 2009-04-21
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20090421a7.html

N-HOUSE in Hiše

http://www.zavodbig.com/revija-hise-archive/

magazine is the leading architectural publication in Slovenia. Six times annually the magazine features strong new architecture from the immediate region and beyond, with a particular focus on housing and interior design. It is published in the Slovenian language. This years spring, a special spring issue which features a cross-section of some of the best single-family house projects realized/completed anywhere in the world over the past two years was published and features our project N-House.

Nebuta House Aomori 090404

http://www.mutusinpou.co.jp/news/2009/04/6061.html
Yesterday on the 3rd the city announced the winning entry for the selection of the official name to replace the present provisional appellation [Nebuta House]. The choice was made for 「ねぶたの家ワ・ラッセ」 (Nebuta no ie – warasse).
This naming competition was started on the second of February and drew much more response that expected. 462 people form not only Aomori city but also from the whole prefecture submitted a total of 782 entries. The selected name is a combination of the proposal by three people and they will be awarded on the 6th of April by the mayor Mr Sasaki.

Nebuta House Aomori 090401

The start of the construction was planned for today, but unforeseen remains of foundations of the previous buildings were located and need to be removed before the work on the piling for the foundation can actually start. It is estimated that this will take roughly 1 month. Meaning that the construction starts with 1 month delay. Hopefully this time loss can be absorbed in the construction schedule.
(image courtesy molo design Canada and the City of Aomori)
molo design; http://www.molodesign.com/projects/aomori_nebuta_house

Nebuta House Aomori 090318

Today the groundbreaking ceremony took place in a tent on site. This ceremony was attended by 72 invitees from all walks of live and was widely covered by the press.

ATLAS FOR LIVING

The list of publications keeps on growing for our project Y-House. The latest addition is in [Atlas for Living] compiled by Daniela Santos Quartino for Loft Publishers and Published in Asia by [Page One]. Y-House is included under the under the chapter “Industrial”. This time we have the pleasure to be included next to a lot of famous designers, as per the introduction of the book:

[Interior design is a process that shapes the internal experience through the way volumes and surfaces are used. Its scope goes beyond the threshold of decoration to address the architectural, psychological and equipment aspects of a house.

This atlas brings together interior design projects from designers and architects from around the world, including Philippe Starck, India Madhavi, Karim Rashid, Matali Crasset, Massimiliano Fuksas, and Claudio Silestrin, the Ministry of design, and many more, in which the reader will find the key points in contemporary trends.]

Project coordinator & editor: Daniela Santos Quartino
Copy right 2008 Loft Publications published in Asia by PAGE ONE PUBLISHERS

Read more: “ATLAS FOR LIVING” »

NEW YEAR 2009

Nebuta House Aomori 090130

Demolition works are carried out by the previous owner of the site JR Bus, in order to clear the site for the construction of Nebuta House while the snow is still piled up.

Nebuta House Aomori 090130

The passenger ferry the Hakoda Maru lays in the snow covered bay and shows its age. This ferry was used to connect Aomori with Hokkaido and was well use before flight connections and the train tunnel connecting Hakodate and Aomori became in use. Recently it was decided to restore the ship as part of the regeneration program undertaken of Aomori city.

Nebuta House Aomori 090224

The site on 090224. The demolition work is still on going.

PEOPLE by Naked Tokyo

event title :「Naked Tokyo: 2008」展
artists: Alexis Alvarez | Bonnie Bajaj | Rick Balia | Adrian Beard | Ernesto Braam | Paul Cohen | Camilla Douraghy | Barbara Flatten | Clive France | Harold Godsoe | Gary Heayes | Carla Hernandez | Max Hodges | Leroy Howard | Leslie Kennah | Lars Jensen | Paul Kohl | Frank La Riviere | Edward Levinson | Haruna Miyashita | Shinishi George Nitta | Lori Ono | Mark Skorji | Jay Tomioka | Mumi Trabucco | Whitney Vosburgh | Vladimir Zakharov |
event contents :東京在住の(及びかつて在住していた)、世界各国の写真家20名以上が集結。それぞれが、違った角度から東京という大都市の真の姿を切り取ります。
Link: http://home.att.ne.jp/gamma/ledeco// (アートスペースのウェブサイト)

Location: ギャラリー・ルデコ
〒150-0002 東京都渋谷区渋谷3-16-3 ルデコビル
電話: 03-5485-5188 ファックス: 03-5485-5199
2008-12-08 to 2008-12-13

Nebuta House Aomori 081105

The tender procedures have started. The city published the project with this image. We hope that some of the super contractors such as Kajima and Takenaka will do a bid.
((image courtesy molo design Canada and the City of Aomori))
For further images:http://www.molodesign.com/projects/aomori_nebuta_house

N-HOUSE AT WORLD ARCHITECTURAL FESTIVAL 2008

This month we will be at the WORLD ARCHITECTURAL FESTIVAL with our most recent project N-House. The World Architecture Festival (WAF) will celebrate the work, concerns and aspirations of the international architectural community, during a large three-day event taking place in Barcelona, Spain from 22 to 24 October 2008.
We will have our project exhibited at the first annual World Architecture Festival in the Awards Entry Gallery (Category: Private Houses) together with some 700 entries from 63 countries worldwide. The gallery provides an opportunity to view global design trends while after the Festival all entries will be permanently available to view in a Directory on the WAF website.

For further information please check out:http:/www.worldarchitecturefestival.com
N-House at World Architectural Festival 2008
今、行われている「ワールドアーキテクチャーフェスティバルWAF」(スペイン・バルセロナ)に、N-ハウスのプロジェクトで参加しています。このフェスティバルは、国際的な建築デザイン業界における話題やこの先の流行、方向性などを提示する大規模なエキシビション。スペインのバルセロナで10月22~24日までの3日間、開催されています。私たちは、“アワードギャラリー(個人住宅のカテゴリー)”にエントリー。これには63カ国から約700ものプロジェクトが参加しています。そのため、この“ギャラリー”では、建築の国際的な流行を見ることができる上、フェスティバルの後でもWAFのウエブサイトから永久的にアクセスできるので、興味があれば、是非、チェックしてくださいhttp:/www.worldarchitecturefestival.com※WAF:国際的な建築デザイン業界方向性などを提示する大規模なイベント。10/22-24スペイン・バルセロナで開催

Y-House in 100×400 vol.1 by RIHAN Publishers

This Hong-Kong based publisher brought out a book showing 406 projects world wide.
Y-House was selected and shares the pages of the huge volume with well published architects offices such as Adjaye Associates, Eric Owen Moss, Coop HimmelB(l)au, etc

H.K. RIHAN Int’l Culture Spread Ltd
ISSN 1992-4305

Frank la Riviere Profile

List of projects and work experience (updated on 27 March 2008)

IN JAPAN

Frank la Rivière, Architects inc (since March 2007)
Frank la Rivière, Architect (since 2001)

PROJECTS:

2007 Nebuta House
Functions include Exhibition space, restaurant, information square, interactive music hall, theater hall, assembly space, offices, and atelier.
Client: Aomori City, 7000 m2
Arch design: molo Japan kk
Detailed design: Frank la Riviere Architects inc & d/dt Arch inc
Scheduled Completion: May 2010

2003 Maison Hermès Phase 2 Extension and Renewal Project, Ginza Tokyo.
Retail space, offices, ateliers, multimedia space, customer’s salon, press show room, personnel space.
Client: Hermès Japon, 1371 m2
Design: Renzo Piano Building Workshop, Rena Dumas Architecture Intérieure,
Design support & construction: Takenaka Corp.
Local Architect and site representative Frank la Rivière (for R PB W and RDAI (see also Phase 1)
Completion: November 2006

2003 N-HOUSE, Owani, Aomori Private residence, wood structure, 190 m2 Private client
Arch & Int Design: Frank la Rivière, Architect Completion December 2006, Exterior July 2007

2003 Y-HOUSE, Jingumae, Tokyo. Apartment building, concrete structure, 462 m2 PrivateClient
Arch & Int Design: Frank la Rivière, Architect, Design support: Buildinglandscape Inc; Yamsahiro Satoru
Completion: December 2004

2001 Banro, Shonan (Japan) Onzen/Spa facility project, basic design
Design: Frank la Rivière, Architect & Studio OBA

2001 Minami-Senju Tokyo (Japan): Onzen/Spa & Sports Gym facility project, basic design
Design: Frank la Rivière, Architect & Studio OBA

1998 K-HOUSE, Yotsukaido, Chiba. Private Residence, wood structure, 98 m2 Private client
Arch & Int Design: Frank la Rivière, Architect, Completion Feb 2000
Product Design
2005 Modern Masters of Photography, portfolio design, graphic design
2000 Furniture Koningslaan 117 (The Netherlands)
Exhibition Design
2007 Naked Tokyo Photography exhibition: Nt:07 Portraits
2005 Modern Masters of Photography, exhibition design
2003 Naked Tokyo part-2 & 3, Photography exhibition
2002 Naked Tokyo part-1, Photography exhibition

Consultancy
Feasibility study Bus shelters design for Pacific Media Consultants

Awards
2006 Interior Planning Award for Y-House
2005 Good Design Award for Y-House

Education related functions
2008 ICS College of Arts Lecturer
2005-2008 ICS College of Arts External examiner
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE:

As architects representative for RPBW/RDAI

1999-2002 Maison Hermes, Ginza Tokyo Phase 1
Design: Renzo Piano Building Workshop, Rena Dumas Architecture Interieure, Ove Arup & Partners, Takenaka Corp, etc. Completion: May 2001, Architects representative

As architect designer for Sumitomo Light Metal Industries Ltd
2000 Onoda Waterpark, entrance canopy design.
Design with Nihon Sekkei
1999 Ebina, Station square, pedestrian deck and shelter design.
Design with Tonichi Consultants & Shimizu Corp
1999 Tennoz Isle, Pedestrian shelter. Design with RIA
1999 Kokuritsu Nursing School, Pedestrian shelter. Design with Nikken Sekkei.
1999 Fukushima Technology Center, entrance canopy design.
Design with Furuichi Architects & Ass. and Ove Arup Japan
1999 Wins Yanago, entrance canopy, Design with JRA architects
1998 Divers bus shelter design for Pacific Media Consultants. Design: Frank la Rivière, Architect
1998- Toe Jutaku, Toritsu Daigaku, Div entance canopies. Design with Nihon Sekkei
1998 Aomori University Campus Bicycle shelters, Bus shelters, Park shelters, tennis court shelters. Design with Kisho Kurokawa & Associates
1997 Japan Racing Association, Shinshirakawa. Div. entrance canopies, taxi shelter, shelters for rest areas. Design with Yamashita Sekkei & JRA
1997 Entrances to Chiyozaki Underground Station Osaka (Japan) Design with Nikken Sekkei Osaka
1997 Takamatsu Sun Port Design proposal for 300 meter long stretch of the Harbor walk.
1997 Osaka Shiritsu Daigaku (University Campus) Entrance canopy. Design with Nikken Sekkei Osaka
1994 Research and basic design monorail and new tram station buildings.
1993 Pedestrian Shelter, Fukuoka Dome, prototype for Saitama Shintoushin pedestrian shelter Executed in 2001, Design with Nikken Sekkei

Product Design
2000 Furniture Koningslaan 117 (The Netherlands)
1999 Simple shelter design project SLM
1996 Osaka Art Museum Project, glass expansion joint. Design with Cesar Pelli & Ass
1996 Aluminium radiator system for Sanyo Ltd & Tokyo Gas
1995 Art frame, exhibition Kokotsu Moji Zoo.
1993 Expansion Joint: Kansai International Airport Osaka. Design with Renzo Piano Building Workshop
1992 Modular bus shelter system, applicable from bus- lay-by to bus station

Patents
1) Expansion Joint KIA,
2) Aluminium radiator system
3) Point fix for aluminium honeycomb panel
4) Guardrail system
5) Glass integrated honeycomb panel + glass and acryl honeycomb.

Competitions
1997 Bus shelter competition Osaka Dome, second price.
1995 Selected project Kumamoto Art Polis, Design Competition 1995
1994 Joint Participant SD review
1993 Maiko competition Kobe, special prize
1993 Oimachi Design Competition, The Urban Design Center Price.

IN FRANCE
1991- Renzo Piano Building Workshop, Genoa/Paris
Project:Project La Cité Internationale Lyon.

IN ENGLAND
1990 – Llewelyn- Davies Weeks Architects and Planners, London.
Projects:
1990 Apex Plaza, MB Group Corporate offices Reading.
1990 Ice rink site, City of Westminster, Development studies
1990 Special Furniture for Hemmings Publishing.
1990 Special furniture for Fleishman Hillard UK.

IN THE NETHERLANDS
1989 – Architects Office Dutch Rail Roads.
Projects:
1990 Design luggage depot: Central station, Amsterdam (NL).
Brunel Award. Organization of competition and exhibition.
1988 – Frank la Rivière, Architect
Projects:
1989 Koningslaan 117, Utrecht (NL), refurbishment private house. Design: Frank la Rivière, Architect
1989 Hunebed Information Center, Borger (NL) Design: Frank la Rivière, Architect
1989 Street furniture competition `De Haagse Stijl` second price

Shodo (Japanese brush calligraphy)

Has been practicing Shodo since May 1992 under Kaneko Takuyoshi sensei of Kohosha (Meijiro) and Kato Yurin sensei (at Tokyu Be Seminars Shibuya).

2008 44th Sougenten Shodo Exhibition, selected work
2007 59th Mainichi Shodo Exhibition, selected work
2007 43th Sougenten Shodo Exhibition, selected work
2007 Sougen Gendai Shodo Exhibition, selected work
2006 58th Mainichi Shodo Exhibition, selected work
2006 42th Sougenten Shodo Exhibition, selected work
2005 57th Mainichi Shodo Exhibition, selected work
2005 41th Sougenten Shodo Exhibition, selected work
2004 56th Mainichi Shodo Exhibition, selected work
2004 40th Sougenten Shodo Exhibition, selected work
2003 55th Mainichi Shodo Exhibition, selected work
2003 39th Sougenten Shodo Exhibition, selected work
2002 54th Mainichi Shodo Exhibition, Price of excellence
2002 `Your Atelier` 1 hour program for NHK BS Digital Broadcasting (March issue)
2001 New Years display: Spiral Market.
2001 53th Mainichi Shodo Exhibition, selected work
2000 52th Mainichi Shodo Exhibition, selected work
1999 51th Mainichi Shodo Exhibition, selected work
1997 Kokotsu Moji Zoo, Fascination by Shodo, private exhibition, Art Salon Mainichi, Takebashi Tokyo.
1995 International Shodo Exhibition, Centrale Bijutsukan Melsa bldg Ginza Tokyo.
1994 47th Mainichi Shodo Exhibition (First Dutch national to be selected).

Press & Media (Shodo)

2003 Three Famous Hidden Spa’s in Japan: 30 min TV program (Travel channel)
2001 Your Atelier, 1hr TV program (March 3rd & 4th 2001)
2001 Article in the Japan Times
2000 NHK radio interview: My Japan Dairy
2000 30 min TV program for Sky Perfect TV: no 22 of `Nihon Dendoshi`
1995- Miscellaneous articles in newspapers and magazines
Photography

2007 Naked Tokyo- NT:07 Portraits, group exhibition photography: Superdeluxe, Roppongi, Tokyo (Japan)
2006 All You Need Is …., Photo exhibition
2005 Photofiusion, Charity exhibition at the Genkan gallery, Tokyo American Club
2005 Portfolio “Modern Masters of Photography” charity project for the Swaminathan Foundation
2005 Zooming in, Charity exhibition at the Genkan gallery, Tokyo American Club.
2004 Zooming in, Charity exhibition at Prudential Tower, Akasaka, Tokyo
2003 Naked Tokyo- part 3, group exhibition photography: Motomachi art gallery, Kobe (Japan)
2003 Naked Tokyo- part 2, group exhibition photography: gallery ES, Jingumae Tokyo (Japan)
2002 Undercurrent, solo exhibition photography: gallery Ecru+HM Ginza Tokyo (Japan)
2002 Naked Tokyo- part 1, group exhibition photography: gallery Le Deco, Shibuya Tokyo (Japan)
2001 A Dogs Breakfast, group exhibition photography: The Pink Cow, Harajuku Tokyo (Japan)
2001 Addendum, group exhibition photography: gallery Pax , Shibuya Tokyo (Japan)
2001 Assembly, group exhibition photography: gallery Le Deco, Shibuya Tokyo (Japan)
1996 Beyond Borders, Tokyo Photography Workshops group exhibition: Gallery Six, Shibuya Tokyo (Japan)
1994 Private Photo exhibition, ZAMOCA Foundation Tokyo: Night Club Blue, Aoyama Tokyo (Japan)

Press & Media (Photography)
2003 Three Famous Hidden Spa’s in Japan: 30 min TV program (Travel channel)

A-dialog 2008

International Exhibition of Architecture and Design Projecting
Organized by Artindex
23 May-01 June, 2008
Central Museum of Communications named A.Popov
Saint-Petersburg, Russia
http://www.art-index.org

Our first activity in Russia was the participation in A-dialog! Y-House was exhibited and included in the catalogue.

Company Info

about FRA inc

Frank la Rivière, Architects Inc is a multi-disciplinary and internationally oriented design practice based in Tokyo that works in the field of urban, architectural, and interior design through to product and exhibition design whilst from time to time participating in art related events.
Our approach is centered on a thoroughly contemporary design language, with recurring themes such as lightness, transparency, continuous flow of space and trueness to the nature of the materials used. We create richly varied environments that are responsive to the needs of its occupiers and result in complex spatial experiences. Our designs are subtracted from a cultural, social and programmatic analysis relating to the design commissions, while the characteristics of the climate, the site and its restrictions, as well as the available techniques are other sources of inspiration. Technology, whether sophisticated or more basic, helps us to redirect the conventions dominant in the production of architecture, allowing not only for innovation but also to work on the improvement of the energy efficiency of our buildings. We belief, that a fusion of all these aspects will basically create more humane environments, at what ever scale and what ever the budget of the project, with more agreeable spaces for the people who use them.
We engage in collaborations that bridge conventional disciplines. These collaborative teams are formed per project with either other architects and designers or consultants allowing us to take on large-scale projects as well.

The practice is led by Frank la Rivière (The Netherlands Utrecht, 1961) who studied architecture and interior design at Delft University of Technology and in 1988 received his Masters degree (first class honors). In 1989 worked in London for Llewelyn Davies Weeks, Architects and Planners. In 1990, moved to Paris to work for Renzo Piano Building Workshop and in 1991 was invited to Japan through an initiative by the GK Design Group and developed aluminium structures while working with Sumitomo Light Metal Industries. From 1999 until 2007 worked as representative and local architect for Renzo Piano Building Workshop and Rena Dumas Architecture Intérieure (Maison Hermès, Ginza Tokyo). Since 2001 worked as Frank la Rivière, Architect and changed to Frank la Rivière Architects inc in 2007. Besides being registered architect in the Netherlands, obtained as the first Dutch National based on more than 15 years of practical experience in Japan, the First Class Architects License in Japan. Was awarded Good Design Prize 2005 and the Interior Planning Award 2006 for Y-House.

会社概要

会社名
株式会社フランク・ラ・リヴィエレ・アーキテクツ
沿革
2001年Frank la Riviere, Architect設立
2007年3月 株式会社フランク・ラ・リヴィエレ・アーキテクツ 設立
業務内容
都市計画・建築設計・インテリア設計業務
建築・インテリア関係工事監理業務及びプロジェクトマネージメント業務
プロダクトデザイン業務
資本金
1000万円
代表取締役
フランク・ラ・リヴィエレ
所在地
〒154-0017東京都世田谷区世田谷2-11-3, Tel/Fax 03-3428-4046

Company details

Company name
Frank la Rivière, Architects inc
History
Since 2001: Frank la Riviere, Architect
Since March 2007: Frank la Rivière, Architects inc
Major field of activities
Urban Design, Architectural Design, Interior Design
Construction supervision & project management for architectural & interior works
Product design
Capital
10.000.000 yen
Principal
ir F.A. la Rivière
Address
〒154-0017 Tokyo, Setagaya-ku, Setagaya 2-11-3, Tel/Fax 03-3428-4046
Registrations
Japan: First Class Architects office (registration nr: 53661)
The Netherlands: Architecten Register 1.890201.136

Good Design Expo 2008 (JIDPO)

Our project N-House was selected for the Architectural section of the Good Design Expo 2008 organized by the Japan Industrial Promotion Organization
This immens design event will be held in Odaiba, Big Site Convention Center from August 22-24

グッドデザインエキスポとはグッドデザインエキスポは、グッドデザイン賞2次審査会後の会場を公開して行うアジア最大規模のデザインイベントです。1.7万m2を超える東京ビッグサイトの巨大な空間に、新製品を中心に、身近な生活用品から乗用車や建築まで、私たちのくらしと社会をとりまく、あらゆるデザイン2,000点以上が一堂に会します。
なにげなく使う商品や目にする建築を、デザインの視点から改めて見てみると、かならず新たな発見に出会えるはず。あなたの生活がもっと楽しくなる「グッドデザイン」を見つけに来てください。

2008年 8月22日(金)  18:00ー21:00
8月23日(土)  10:00ー21:00
8月24日(日)  10:00ー16:00
※各日とも入場は終了の30分前まで

東京ビッグサイト 東展示棟 東5、6ホール
1,000円(3日間共通)/中学生以下無料

http://www.bigsight.jp/general/access/

NEW YEAR 2008

Y-House published in HOME

About home design (Excerpt from the preface)

…..It is that special place to come back to, especially after a hard days work and it is that moment when you open the door and feel at peace in that space, which is yours, a personal place where you can retreat and prepare for the next day…….

My ideal dwelling is to have lots of different rooms with different character…..

Sze-King Kan

Home by PACE Publishing Ltd, 2008 Hong-Kong
ISBN:978-962-7723-00-4

http://www.beisistudio.com

NHA Nebuta House Aomori OIGINS OF THE NEBUTA FESTIVAL

The origin and development of Nebuta

There are many theories about the origin of the Nebuta Festival. One is that it is said to have originated after the subjugation of rebels in this district by “General TAMURAMARO” in the early 800’s. He had his army create large creatures, called “Nebuta”, for frighten the enemy.

Another theory is that the Nebuta Festival was a development of the “TANABATA” festival in China. One of the customs during this festival was “TORO” floating. A “toro” is a wooden frame box wrapped with Japanese paper. The Japanese light a candle inside the “TORO” and put it out to float onto the river or into the sea. The purpose behind this is to purify oneself and send the evil spirits out to sea. “TORO” floating is still one of the most impressive and beautiful sights during the summer nights of the Japanese festivals. On the final night, “toro” floating is accompanied by a large display of colorful fireworks. This is said to be the origin of the Nebuta Festival. Gradually these floats grew in size, as did the festivities, until they are the large size they are now.

Today the Nebuta floats are made of a wood base, carefully covered with this same Japanese paper, beautifully colored, and lighted from the inner part with hundreds of light bulbs. In early August the colorful floats are pulled through the streets accompanied by people dancing in native Nebuta costumes, playing tunes on flutes and drums.

Many Aomori citizens are involved in the building of these beautiful floats. The Nebuta designers create their designs, patterned after historical people or themes. Development of themes takes place immediately after the previous year’s festivities come to a close. Consequently, it takes the entire year, first in the development, then in the construction of the Nebuta float.

One of the reasons for the popularity of the Nebuta festival is the free participation of many Aomori citizens. The sounds of the Nebuta drums and bamboo flutes inspire people to prepare costumes and begin practice of the Nebuta dances. As the beginning of the parade is signaled, “HANETO”(dancers) join hand-in-hand, and begin their journey through the streets of Aomori. These dancers, colorfully arrayed in Nebuta garb.

Scource:
http://www.nebuta.or.jp/english/index_e.htm
http://www.nebuta.or.jp/index.htm