21st Century Tokyo

2010-03-26T12:44:00.004+09:00

21st Century Tokyo reviewd by Wallpaper* magazine.
Hope they noticed the hidden reference to Wallpaper* buried in the last profile in the book.

Interview with CNNgo

2010-03-03T15:33:00.007+09:00

Authors Julian and Erez are interviewed by David Marx, of CNNgo. It's come out this morning:

'21st Century Tokyo': Architecture as performance | CNNGo.com.

New Sky Building : Tagged for Demolition

2010-02-26T17:00:00.009+09:00

Text by: Julian Worrall
Photos by: JIL-Studio

This is a building that i've known about since i first arrived in tokyo in 2000. it is called the new sky building and was built in 1972 by architect yoji watanabe using techniques used in building submarines. the naval theme continues on the roof, which looks like the deck of a battle ship. each floor has two apartments back to back, arranged as a series of steel prefabricated rooms plugged into a concrete spine. i think it is one of the most brilliant and evocative pieces of residential architecture anywhere.

The building is (or was) also fascinating socially. on the ground floor there used to be an ancient couple who ran a taxidermy outfit from a tiny shop tenancy. they would have dusty stuffed raccoons and hawks peering out into the lobby from behind half-frosted glass. also in the first few years of this century the top three floors were inhabited by a colony of scruffy german art and architecture types, mostly from berlin. they would throw a party every three months or so. hanging out on the roof under a dark misty sky listening to kraftwerk with the shinjuku neon lighting up the rain was an totally unforgettable experience.

When kodansha first approached me to do the book i suggested including this building in the lineup. however it does not meet the cutoff of 1990 for contemporary architecture. this is a shame, since there is now talk that the building will be demolished, and it should be immortalized in print somewhere. i give thanks for the sluggish japanese economy every time i walk past it and find it still there.

(final photo courtesy of consume)

Get your copy from Amazon now!

2010-02-26T00:37:00.004+09:00

The book is now available in bilingual bookstores all over Japan. OR you can get it online.

See our link on Amazon to order if you are based in Japan:
Amazon Japan

If you are not Japan based don't fret, you can pre-order the book here:
Amazon U.S.A.

Global release date is set for mid April.

Finally Released: 21st Century Tokyo

2010-02-11T18:26:00.010+09:00

The book

Tokyo has earned a reputation as one of the most innovative and forward-thinking cities in the world, and nowhere is this more evident than in its modern architecture. Authors and architects Julian Worrall and Erez Golani Solomon, longtime residents of the city, have selected 83 outstanding examples of contemporary architecture, and introduce them, not just from an architectural perspective, but as part of the social, cultural, and political tapestry of the city. In addition to the monumental masterpieces of famous architects, "generic" buildings from office blocks and convenience stores, to high-rise apartment towers are also sprinkled throughout the book, creating a full and fascinating overview of the architectural landscape of the city.

Each of the book's seven chapters covers a different geographical district of Tokyo; and each building is accompanied by a selection of stunning black-and-white photographs. Written in an accessible, conversational style, and including maps and access information for each building, this book will appeal to the layman as well as to the professional architect, the visitor to Tokyo as well as to the armchair traveler.

The Authors

JULIAN WORRALL is a licensed architect, architectural and urban historian, and a widely published critic. He is currently Assistant Professor of Architecture at Waseda University in Tokyo. He writes regularly on architecture for a variety of publications. Learn more:
www.LLLABO.com

EREZ GOLANI SOLOMON holds a Ph. D. in architecture from the University of Tokyo. He teaches urban theory and architectural design at the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem and at Waseda University.

The Photographer

JOSHUA LIEBERMAN is a Tokyo based pro photographer specializing in interiors and the architectural. Established in Japan for over 15 years, he works mainly for interior design firms and lighting vendors. Originally establishing himself in Japan as a web and graphic designer, he quickly carved his foothold in the photographic world through his collective works with Japanese entertainment diva, Natsuki Mari. Learn More:
www.joshualieberman.com