Designer Discovery

My first designer of choice, but not my main focus was Shiro Kuramata. This is my Top 10 Interesting Facts about him:

1. His designs were based on traditional Japanese aesthetics through the use of innovative materials.
2. his work combined the Japanese design concept and also his fascination with the contemporary western culture.
3. He "invented" a new design vocabulary 
4. Was awarded the Mainichi Industrial Design Prize in 1972
5. Designed the steel mesh chair- How High the Moon in 1986 ( Was sold for 24,000 in 1998)
6. Ranked as one of the most desirable of the artists/designers of the 20th century
7. His work- Miss Blanche was sold in London for a whopping 86,000 dollars in 1997
8. Created objects that were not only RADICAL but FUNCTIONAL
9. His work is represented in the permanent collections of Decorative Arts in Paris, of New York, MOMA,of Metropolitan Museum, and the Museum of Modern Art in Toyama.
10. Influential during the 70s and 80s in Europe and Japan

Sources: The works of Shiro Kuramata, by Kuramata
              http://www.pipl.com/

My second choice, but came close is: Arata Isozaki and here are his 10 interesting facts:

1. First opened his own studio in 1963
2. Was known for using bold geometric forms and frequently made historical allusions.
3. develped a syle which reflected both Hapanese traditions with Western post modern and mannerist influences.
4. Among his influences were Giulio Romano and Michelangelo
5. In the 1970s his work became more historical in its connection of the post modern movement of Europe and the United states
6. Was part of a team of exclusive architects enlisted by Disney to design building throughout the United States
7. Sant jordi sports palace, designed by Isozaki (of course) was used for the 1992 Olympics
8. Recieved the Asahi award. This award was given to individuals that made significant contributions that lasted in the Japanese community.
9. was a visiting professor for Japanese and American Institutions
10. Described to be a contemporary parallel to Frank Lloyd Wright

Sources: Contemporary Architecture of Japan by Hiroyuki Suzuki
              http://www.isozaki.co.jp/

Not but not least is: Zaha Hadid
                 Zaha Hadid is an Iraqi Architect who has done a signifcant amount of work. Hadid was born on October 31, 1950 in Baghdad, Iraq. As an Iraqi woman she has done a lot. She received a degree in mathematics from the American University of Beirut before moving to study at the Architectural Association School of Architecure in London. After she graduated she began to work with her former teachers, Rem Koolhaas, a Dutch architect, architectural theorist, urbanist, and Elia Zenghelis, a Greek architect at the Office for Metopolitan Architecture. She became partner in 1977; It was then when working Koolhaas, that she met the engineer Peter Rice who gave her support and encouragement. In 1980, she established her own London-based practice. During the 1980s she also taught at the Architectural Association. She has also taught at prestigious institutions around the world; she held the Kenzo Tange Chair at the Graduate School of Design, Harvard University, the Sullivan Chair at the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Architecture, guest professorships at the Hochschule für Bildende Künste in Hamburg, the Knowlton School of Architecture, and even at The Ohio State University. In addition, she was made Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters and an Honorary Fellow of the American Institute of Architects.She has been on the Board of Trustees of The Architecture Foundation. She is currently Professor at the University of Applied Arts Vienna in Austria


     Bergisel Ski Jump Innsbruck, Austria



Contemporary Arts Center, Hadid's 1st American work, Cincinnati, Ohio

Maxxi, Rome