HOPE TOWARDS A NEW ARCHITECTURE

"The cities of the 20 th century called for a massive and economical architectural production. As a result of this demand, the cities of the world were filled with housing and office buildings that were mass-produced and homogenous, and which caused the complete loss of the identity of each region. Conversely, developed countries of today find themselves affected by a decreasing population in which the architecture of the modern era, conceived as mass production, has become obsolete.

In contrast to the situation of the homogenous cities of the world, Barcelona understands the cultural values of architecture and profoundly comprehends that contemporary architecture is the artifice of the liveliness and of the charm of cities.Thanks to the opportunity to work on certain projects in Barcelona, I was able to reflect upon the expectation that its people have on architecture and upon what they receive from it. I arrived at the conclusion that architecture gives vitality to its people and radiates a pleasant and playful sensation. I do not attempt to look for a an abstract and inorganic architecture based on the pure geometry of Modernism, but one that is freer and organic, based on the method of non-linear geometry. With modern computer technology, the design of curved surfaces in 3D, the analysis of complex structures, like reticular ones, and the simulation of air and light are simpler and more effective. So, in this way, I use these technologies to advance towards this new architecture.

Toyo Ito is known for the extremely creative conceptions applied to his buildings, in which he seeks to meld the physical world with that which is virtual. With the construction of the White O housing in 1976 and Silver Hut in 1984, he laid the foundations of a new conception of life in urban centers.

His most outstanding works include the Aluminum house in Kanagawa (1971); the aforementioned White O house, in Nakano, Tokyo (1976); Silver Hut, the architect's own house in Tokyo (1984); Tower of Winds, Yokohama, Kanagawa (1986); the Sapporo Beer Brewery guest house in Hokkaido (1989); the Municipal Museum of Yatsushiro, in Kumamoto (1991); the Municipal Museum of shimosuwa, in Nagano (1993), the Yatsushiro firehouse, in Kumamoto (1995); the Nagaoka Auditorium, in Niigata (1996); the Yokohama Community Activities and Elderly Persons Treatment Center in Kanagawa (1997); the town hall of Notsuharu, Oita (1998); the T Hall in Taisha, Shimane (1999); The Agricultural Park of Oita (200), and the Sendai Media center in Miyagi (2002).