Stand Still, Move Forward.

Businessmen pass behind a statue at Tokyo Opera City.
Toyo Ito currently has an exceptional exhibition at Tokyo Opera City Gallery replete with large-scale models - some at full size. Perhaps his most important work to date is the Sendai Mediatheque, but the Taichung Metropolitan Opera House in China will likely surpass that achievement.

Photography was not allowed in the gallery, so the following images are courtesy of the Hipercroquis website.

Though initially skeptical, I am impressed with Toyo Ito's integrated design strategy that makes concept, structure, systems, and function inseparable. In addition, his competition drawings (which are not available online) reveal the incredible amount of detail put into considering natural air flow and light, energy consumption, and the use of sustainable materials. Furthermore, with the integration of adjacent parks into the building, it seems that the Opera House will contribute to the vitality of the city.
Full-scale Formwork for Tod's on Omotesando. Amazing.

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