Lighting is a constant and familiar presence in our daily lives. Choosing lighting fixtures for interiors, just like paying attention to how the quality of our water and air affects our health, has a marked effect on our well-being. This seminar will discuss in a simple, accessible way the various applications of light, basic information about the influence and economy of lighting fixtures, how it affects things like a good night's sleep, relaxation and even crime prevention. Please see website for reservations.

Bauhaus began in Weimar in Germany as a school for design in 1919. Centered on Weimar, Dessau and Berlin, Bauhaus was forced to close down in 1933 with the rise of the Nazi regime. However, even 75 years after its founding, it continues to have a profound influence on design and architecture around the world. This exhibition focuses on how Bauhaus was variously interpreted and appropriated during different periods of its history, and on the Dessau period in particular. During its short period of activity, concrete manifestations of the ideals of its founder, Walter Gropius, were constructed in Dessau. From his student work that shows the influences of his formative education, right up to his designs for stage sets, products from his atelier, drawings, and photographs, this show showcases the broad range of Bauhaus activities. The show also includes architectural sections, blueprints and diagrams, models and images. The selection features a total of around 260 works, 241 of which are from the Bauhaus Dessau Foundation's collection. 146 of them will be exhibited in Japan for the first time.

The two architects, Peter Märkli (b. 1953) from Switzerland and Jun Aoki (b. 1956) from Japan, share a strong interest in paintings and sculpture. This exhibition presents many of more than 300 drawings and 100 study models to capture the flickers that emerge while architects' ideas take form. [Image: Peter Märkli "Drawing" (date unknown) © the artist]

With a history of winning many national and international awards including the Pritzker Prize, Australian architect Glenn Murcutt is a representative master in the contemporary architectural world. After establishing his own office in 1969, he has taken the stance of doing all design-related tasks himself, employing neither staff nor secretary, and not relying on computers. Including unbuilt projects, he has undertaken about 500 designs, focused on private houses. These works pay constant attention to the climate of Australia, and are exemplified by a group of houses emphasizing sustainability, in an admirable resonance and unity with their environment. Without relying on mechanical equipment such as air conditioning, achieving natural ventilation through space planning and aperture layout, skillfully controlling light, shadow, wind, and insect damage through openings comprising three layers of precisely movable louvers, screen doors, and glass doors, with rainspouts and rainwater tanks in order to mitigate water shortages, built with recyclable materials allowing repeated extensions and alterations… Throughout the details of Murcutt’s architecture there are devices that confront the natural environment and make maximum use of its endowments. This exhibition will be Japan’s first broad introduction to the architecture of Glenn Murcutt. In addition, on June 12, the opening day of the exhibition, Murcutt will give a lecture on the occasion of his first visit to Japan. Introducing the charm of the architectural works of a man who says, “I have always believed in the act of discovery rather than creativity. We do not create the work. I believe we, in fact, are discoverers. I see architecture as a path of discovery and that is very important for me,” not to mention a personage worthy of respect, please do not miss this exhibition and lecture. Lecture on June 12th, 2008 in English *Simultaneous interpretation from English into Japanese will be available. Admission free Doors open at 17:30, starts at 18:30 Apply here: http://www.toto.co.jp/gallerma/ex080612/sympsm_e.htm Venue: Yomiuri Hall In front of the Exit for ‘Tokyo International Forum’ at JR ‘Yurakucho’ Station, Directly to the Hall, please take the Exit-D4, D6 of ‘Yurakucho’ Station on the Yurakucho-line or ‘Hibiya’ Station on the Mita-line, 3 min from the Exit-A2 of ‘Hibiya’ Station on the Chiyoda-line, 5 min from the Exit-C9 of ‘Ginza’ Station on the Ginza, or Chiyoda-line

This exhibition showcases the latest and most informed trends and developments in contemporary architecture, introducing the newest projects currently underway by 7 Japanese and 26 foreign practices.

Osamu Ishiyama (1944 - ) has explored new ways of constructing buildings: making a house out of a giant steel pipe, importing materials directly from overseas, adopting diverse techniques including traditional plastering and steelworking methods used in a shipyard, and raising funds while building a structure a little at a time. This is his first solo exhibition in an art museum. Ishiyama's work is presented with a focus on 12 projects currently being carried out in Japan and other countries. You may see architecture that is different from anything you have ever seen before and get a glimpse of life in the future. [Image: "Setagaya Village" photographed in 2001]

One typical characteristic of Japanese architecture is the attention and effort devoted to making buildings tolerably cool enough to live in during the hot summers. With open-plan shoji doors, fusuma sliding screens, breezy spots shaded by greenery and verandahs, eaves and blinds, as well as cool interiors, Japanese architecture is well adapted to its summer environmental conditions. This exhibition introduces some of these features that have become such an indispensable addition to Japanese homes during the summer. Museum talk Each of the following days at 14:30- July 12th (Sat) Noriyuki Asakawa, curator, Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum July 26th (Sat) Isamu Yoneyama, assistant professor, Edo Tokyo Museum August 9th (Sat) Noriyuki Asakawa, curator, Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum August 23rd (Sat) Isamu Yoneyama, assistant professor, Edo Tokyo Museum

Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum is pleased to present “Summer Villa: The Sculptures, Drawings, and Prints of Katsura Funakoshi in Art Deco Space.” Katsura Funakoshi was born in Morioka, Japan in 1951. He studied sculpture at Tokyo Zokei University and graduate school at Tokyo University of the Arts (the former name: Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music). In the 1980s he began carving human figures out of camphor wood and partially coloring them. After many domestic shows, his work appeared in major international exhibitions, including the 1988 Venice Biennale and Documenta IX in 1992, establishing a reputation both here and abroad for his fresh approach to figurative sculpture. Funakoshi went on to cultivate new territories of sculptural expression, partially deforming his figures in a solo exhibition of 2003-2004 and further developing these forms to create the enigmatic, androgynous Sphinx series, begun in 2006. This exhibition introduces the challenging Sphinx series, including new pieces, as well as a selection of the best work from each previous period of the artist’s career. To Funakoshi, drawings and prints are important modes of creative expression in their own right on the same level as his sculpture. His drawings are not just studies for sculpture but comprise a world that is complete in itself. In his prints, which he began making as a student in England in 1987, he employs a variety of techniques, including drypoint, aquatint, lithography, and woodcut, to produce freely expressive artworks that are not subordinate to the sculpture. This exhibition gives equal attention to all three forms of expression to provide a fuller understanding of the artist. A particular point of interest on this occasion is the encounter between the Art Deco space of the Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum and the work of Funakoshi. The distinctively decorated rooms of the museum, quite different from the “white cube” galleries of most museums, will come together with Funakoshi’s sculptures, drawings, and prints to create a rich tapestry, a rare space and time that cannot be experienced anywhere else. The museum will be transformed into a summer villa filled with magical surprises.

This exhibition introduces the past, present, and future of city development in Sengawa (Chofu City, Tokyo), along with the ongoing design of road layout. The project consists of 6 facilities that designed alongside the road, and is one of the largest projects that the world has seen.

Fumio Asakura is known as the father of Japanese Modern Sculpture. Originally built as Asakura's home atelier, Asakura Choso Museum has a permanent exhibit of his major works. Closed from Dec. 29 to Jan. 3.