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One of the best things about traveling around the world is not only getting the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful scenery, culture, customs, food, and people, but also the magnificent buildings with high historical value.

Of these, Italy’s buildings are said to be the best in the world both in terms of quantity and historical value

In this article, we will introduce some of Italy’s representative buildings and interview Italian designer Francesco Ristori to discuss architecture and design in Japan and abroad from a global perspective.

■＃1. The Pantheon (Rome, Italy)

Michelangelo, a man of many talents in art and architecture, praised The Pantheon as an “angelic design”. Built in 25 B.C. by Agrippa, trusted by Augustus, the first emperor of the Roman Empire, it was destroyed by fire in 80 B.C., but was rebuilt by the emperors Domitian and Trajan. From 118 to 125, Hadrian transformed the Pantheon into a classical building that pursued space, order, arrangement, and light. It is no coincidence that the height of the dome and the diameter of the rotunda correspond exactly to the diameter of a perfect sphere.

The circular structure of the Pantheon was inspired by the heavens and the sun, and unlike the square-shaped spaces that were the mainstay of Greek and Roman temple architecture until that time, the domes were made smaller as they were raised, and the walls were made progressively thinner to reduce the downward pressure of the weight of the dome and to release the physical stress to the foundation.

The only source of light in the Pantheon is the dome’s “great eye”, a circular window at the top of the dome, and when the sun shines in around noon, the magnificent space made of polished marble and finished with geometric patterns shines beautifully.

The Pantheon, which continues to transmit the image of Rome’s glory to the present day, is truly an architecture with a sense of history.

■ Francesco’s Addition: Knowing this makes” The Pantheon”100 times more interesting!

Italian monuments have myths that are based on truth. In the case of The Pantheon, it remains a myth that glorifies Roman architecture.

One of the things that makes The Pantheon an amazing piece of architecture is that it does not have a keystone on the dome, which would normally be present, to avoid structural overload. As a result, there is a large hole that allows you to see the sky. Many people may think, “Won’t it flood when it rains?”.

In fact, when it rains, the chimney effect causes the rain to be sprayed by the warm wind, and it is said that the inside has never been flooded.

Of course, this is due to the superior design techniques of Roman architecture and the chimney effect, this was due in part to the myth that Roman building technology was so great that it would not flood even when it rained.

■#2. Church of San Miniato al Monte (Florence, Italy)

Construction began in the year 1018. This is the first church in Florence dedicated to Christian martyrs. It is said that when the martyrs were decapitated, they carried their heads under their arms and climbed the hill with wobbly steps to come to this place where they were buried.

The façade is made of Carrara marble with white color, which complements the green serpentine stone and adds to the beauty of the building. The first floor, there is a design reminiscent of a classical temple, a 13th-century mosaic at the top of the edicula (stone or wooden altar) window, depicting Christ on the throne with a saint by his side, and at the top of the façade, a mosaic of a man on the throne, and bronze falcon symbolizing the woolen guild. Inside, the main altar is decorated with mosaics from the 13th century, and between the steps leading to the main altar is the Chapel of the Cross by Michelozzo, added during the Renaissance.

It is one of the best examples of Romanesque architecture in Tuscany and is a valuable historical building that had a great influence on later Renaissance architecture, both inside and out.

■Francesco’s Addition Knowing this, the “Church of San Miniato al Monte” becomes 100 times more interesting!

If you were to ask, “What is the most beautiful bridge in Florence? Most people would probably answer “Ponte Vecchio”. Personally, however, I would say that the adjacent Holy Trinity Bridge is the most beautiful bridge in Florence.

The reason for this is quite simple: from Ponte Vecchio, you can’t see the whole beautiful Ponte Vecchio, but when you stand on the Santa Trinita Bridge, you will see the Ponte Vecchio in all its magnificent beauty. Therefore, the Santa Trinita Bridge is the most beautiful bridge in Florence.

Similarly, the Church of San Miniato al Monte is not considered the most beautiful church in Florence. But from the top of the hill where the facade stands, you can see all the churches in Florence. That’s why we can say that “San Miniato al Monte” is the most beautiful church in Florence!

 

©MARIO RISTORI

■Francesco, a designer, talks about architecture and design in Italy and Japan.

1)Influence from Italy, and conversely, the influence of Japan on other　countries 　

Trade between Italy and Japan began in 1866, but it took several decades before there was any visible impact.　In 1904, “Madame Butterfly” was premiered at La Scala in Milan. The fact that the story is set in Nagasaki is considered evidence of the deep interest Italy and Japan had in each other. It is said that the relationship was strengthened from there and influenced the streets of Nagasaki.On the other hand, in Italy, in the 19th century, the poet Gabriele D’Annunzio admired the charm of Japanese haiku and created an Italian version of it. It can be said that Italy and Japan have strong cultural and historical ties.　

2) About the design scene and production in Italy and Japan

First, I feel that the production process is completely different. In Italy, the skilled craftsman become the architect client while in Japan, the craftsman follows the architect client. This is just my way of thinking, but basically, in Italy, there is a lot of thinking and creating on site, but in Japan, preparation and detailed verification are prioritized.In Italy and Japan, “traditional craftsmanship and manufacturing methods that have been handed down from generation to generation remain strong” can be said to be a commonality in site and production.

3) Design in Italy and Japan

Both Italy and Japan participated in the 26th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26). It is expected that we will aim for a cleaner and greener future.I believe that zero carbon and energy autonomy will be set and introduced as major objectives in architecture as well.In northern Italy, energy-autonomous buildings are already on the rise due to the influence of northern European building technology. On the other hand, it has been suggested that the development of energy-autonomous buildings in Japan may be delayed due to the cost of land and earthquake resistance standards. Nevertheless, I hope that we will make steady progress step by step.

 

■Francesco Ristori

International Design Division, Office Department, Architect, Designer

After achieving a master’s degree in architecture at the University of Florence, he specialized in Italy in housing and retail projects, as well as heritage buildings restoration. Since 2014 he has been involved as designer at GARDE, operating in Japan and Korea, China, and south-east Asia, involved in several project scales, such as corporate offices, hospitality, residential, commercial facilities, and department stores.

■Sources：

https://nigensha.hondana.jp/book/b559274.html

https://xknowledge-books.jp/book/9784767819624/

 

 

 

Otani joined GARDE in 2016, and after working as a PM and local architect, he has been working as a designer since 2021, participating in many projects for apparel, large-scale commercial facilities, and hospitality. In addition to his skills and sense of style, he is also a possesses a deep sense of humanity. We took an in-depth look at the young designer from a variety of perspectives.

■How did you become interested in design and architecture?

The large commercial facilities and mass merchandisers along the national highway, such as toy stores and fishing tackle shops, were at the origin of my consumer behavior and my first perception of commercial space.

I had an interest in design, objects, and shapes from an early age, but my interest in space was secondary to my experiences there. The origins of my own creation began in my childhood, when I spent all my time collecting insects, looking at actual objects and illustrated books, copying them, and making models.From there, my interest shifted to airplanes, tanks, and plastic models, and I developed an interest in industrial objects that led to my current occupation. Ever since then, I have been interested in guitars and furniture design.

I also spent a period in Beijing in the 1990s and often went to department stores with my family and siblings. We would spend half a day in the facilities, from the game center to pottery classes, to dining. We were also a cultured family, so we had all kinds of subcultural materials scattered around the house.

From a very young age, I was exposed to the films of seen Verhoeven, Cronenberg, David Lynch. For manga, I was introduced to Osamu Tezuka, Shigeru Mizuki, Yoshiharu Tsuge, Shotaro Ishinomori and so on. In the midst of all this, my piano teacher gave me the best Beatles album. I fell in love with the subculture of the 60’s and beyond.

I became obsessed with Dylan and Kerouac, and as a result became a bit of an “edgelord”…

 

 

 

 

●His passion for building plastic models as a child eventually led to an interest in product design…

 

 

 

●He was accepted to Musashino Art University.

■What influences your design and what you are actively incorporating into it?

I think that the way items are combined with each other is an ability that is common to the way materials are combined in space.

For clothing, I am quite conscious of dressing in a way that is “appropriate for the occasion, very normal and ordinary”. Personally, I think it has something in common with my attitude towards spatial design. I feel that there is a slight difference in the sense of distance between clothing and interior/architectural design, as they both focus on the human body.

The process of sewing clothes, starting from the selection of materials, and building from the pattern (flat) to the human body (three-dimensional), is very interesting from an architectural point of view. The way you finish it will affect the completion of the project. More than the technical interest, what I am conscious of is the semantic rationality, whether the combination of items is in line with a certain context or not. Starting from who, where, and how the item was made, to why I chose it now, I am conscious of making sure that each combination makes sense. I want to apply this attitude to each aspect of food, clothing, and shelter whenever possible.

■Who are some creators you admire?

I’m glued to the frightening yet fascinating scenes and characters of David Lynch. 

David Lynch’s work may be considered difficult and lofty, but if you take a closer look at his works, you will find that each motif is mundane and trite in a good way. I think he is an interesting person who has succeeded commercially while making films that are personal and self-indulgent.

■To Mr. Otani, who states “I have no preconceived notions about materials, good or bad.” We propose the final question: What are some of your future challenges?

I feel that experienced people are limited in the space they associate with materials. For example, the unit price of a material is set based on various factors such as scarcity, time and effort of production, transportation, etc. However, I believe that it never determines whether the material is good or bad (luxurious or cheap).

This may also be true for other elements that make up a space, such as spacing, where it makes sense to say, “If it’s bigger, it’s no good” or “If it’s smaller, it’s no good.” However, there are many of these virtues that have no basis in fact. I would like to question this while keeping them as a foundation. There must be much that is strangely missing or curiously in excess that we find attractive. I will continue to learn and utilize as much as possible.

■Makoto Otani

Designer, Large-Scale Design Section, Design Business Division

After joining the company in 2016, Makoto Otani worked in the PM Section of the Brand Business Division, where he managed the interior design work for imported brands opening stores in Japan. In 2019, he joined the Design Section of the Brand Business Division, where he worked as a local architect for imported brands ranging from apparel to cosmetics. In 2021, he joined the International Design Division, where he works as a designer on a variety of projects in Japan and abroad, focusing on apparel stores, large-scale commercial facilities, and hospitality design.

 

A design exhibition titled “Window on the Future – Gaudí Meets 3D Printing” will be held at Tokyo Midtown from October 15 (Fri.) to November 3 (Wed., holiday).

This is a project by Mr. Keita Suzuki, a creative director who inherits the spirit of “co-creation” (creation through trial and error with experts in various fields) of world-famous architect Antonio Gaudi, and YKK AP Inc, which designs, manufactures, installs, and sells windows, sashes, shutters, and other products used in homes and buildings. This is an exhibition of new window prototypes created by specialists in various fields who agree with the purpose of the exhibition, transcending national boundaries and genres, using the latest 3D printing technology to create “window on the future”. GARDE is participating in this co-creation as a production partner.

We are very much looking forward to this event to see how the “windows” that we encounter every day are expressed by the hands of up-and-coming creators, and what kind of future they will lead to.

YKK AP’s special website “Window on the Future – Gaudí Meets 3D Printing”;

https://www.ykkap.co.jp/consumer/satellite/sp/window-future/en/

 

With this in mind, we decided to take this opportunity to do some research on windows.

First off, when we talk about windows, window glass comes to mind, right? However, it was not until the 17th century that ordinary people in the West were able to use them. When you consider the many functions that windows and windowpanes can perform in combination, such as letting in light, ventilation, security, privacy protection, prevention of noise intrusion and outflow, and pest intrusion, you can’t help but be deeply moved by the concept of windows.

Windows play a functional role as well as a decorative role. Have you ever had the experience of walking down the street and encountering a window with a beautiful design, an unusual shape, or a beautifully polished window, and your eyes and mind are drawn to it?

This time, we would like to introduce you to some buildings with distinctive windows and the spaces created by them.

■Torre Agbar (Barcelona, Spain)

Torre Agbar is a cylindrical building of the Barcelona Waterworks Authority located in Barcelona, the northeastern part of the Kingdom of Spain, where many medieval buildings such as the Sagrada Familia and other beautiful churches remain, as well as the Miró Museum, which houses the works of Joan Miró, one of Spain’s most famous artists, and the Pablo Picasso Museum, which attracts many tourists to the cultural city.

The 4,500 glass blinds that cover the exterior walls open and close in conjunction with temperature sensors. The blinds are designed to block sunlight in the summer and let sunlight in in the winter, thereby saving the maximum amount of energy for heating and cooling. The walls of the building are designed with more red near the ground and more blue towards the sky. The image colors of the facade are fire and water covered with glass that sparkles in the light. The 4,500 LED lights corresponding to the glass blinds can be computer-controlled to create illumination in over 1,500 different colors. The building has become a landmark of Barcelona and is also used for seasonal and event-based performances.

 

■ Waldspirale (Germany)

Designed by Austrian architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser and his last work, “Waldspirale” (“forest spiral”, in English) is a 12-story residential complex with 105 units built between 1998 and 2000. Its unique form, devoid of any inorganic straight lines, is a testament to Hundertwasser’s lifelong attempt to express the nature he admires. In addition to its form, the building is characterized by the fact that it has more than 1,000 windows, none of which are the same shape. Some of the windows have trees sticking out of them, and there are highly artistic designs scattered throughout that overturn the concept of architecture and windows.

At first glance, the colorful wall decorations and golden crowns might make you think that the castle is something out of a fairy tale or fable. The open café and bar at the top, the small pond and children’s playground in the courtyard, and the way Hundertwasser coexisted with people and nature based on his free sensibility are truly masterpieces that he left behind in this world.

■Enso（Japan）

Lastly, we would like to introduce traditional Japanese windows. There are many types of windows that do not ring a bell just by hearing their names, such as musō,  kushigata windows, shitaji windows, renji windows, hasou, wasure windows, shishigaki windows, etc. but their types and designs are truly diverse. The designs are not as flashy and eccentric as those of foreign countries, but they show the sensitivity of the Japanese people, who live emotionally rich lives, feeling the changes of the four seasons with their five senses. Among the traditional Japanese windows, I would like to introduce you to the enso, which is relatively easy to see.

 Enso is a circular window that has been used in many traditional Japanese buildings, including temples and Buddhist shrines. Famous examples include Meigetsuin in Kamakura, Genkoan in Kyoto, and Fundaiin, which has a garden created by ink painter and Zen monk Sesshu. The best time to visit is during the season of fresh greenery and autumn leaves at Meigetsuin and Genkoan, and on snowy days at Fundaiin, when the dead trees in the garden are covered with snow and the scenery resembles a Sesshu ink painting.

Traditional Japanese windows, while enclosed in a walled room, skillfully bring the scenery seen through the window, borrowed scenery, into the room, creating a space that looks like a painting framed by a picture frame.

 

■Sources

https://www.chuko.co.jp/ebook/2013/07/513907.html

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/waldspirale

日本の窓 (淡交ムック) ムック

https://rtrp.jp/articles/49980/