in-person event:

City Regeneration Through Design:
midori omori and jun mitsui

thursday, july 20, 2023 16:00 - 19:00 (JST)
at the international house of japan

sponsored by northglass

event summary:

Since the implementation of the Urban Renaissance Special Measures Act of 2002, large-scale redevelopment has accelerated in the central areas of Tokyo, dramatically transforming the urban landscape. This change has significantly impacted not only our living environment but also the values we associate with the city. In this symposium, we aim to evaluate the significance of urban regeneration brought about by recent large-scale urban development and discuss its potential.

City needs to be sustainable for many generations as well. We all are responsible to keep this earth and urban environments sustainable and all designers are committed to this never-ending responsibility. Using Azabudai project and others, the lecture will explore architects responsibility as well as the importance of the collaborative works with designers and clients.

The lecture will also examine the specific process and contents of pre-design, using Azabudai Hills, as an example. The lecture address the dialogue between the developer and the architects as it relates to the pre-design process, using the podium of the buildings at Azabudai Hills, designed by the Heatherwick Studio, as a case study.

about midori omori:
Specialized Executive Officer Project Planning Department, Planning and Development Division Mori Building Co., Ltd.

Midori Omori joined Mori Building Co., Ltd. In 1985. She was in charge of designing of Mori Art Museum, offices and residences in Roppongi Hills before being assigned to Urban Planning and Development Division where she was responsible for management of overseas architects. After the opening of Roppongi Hills, she was responsible for marketing and events in Town Management Department and was involved in the establishment of community development, including the launch of Hills Life magazine, planning and management of Hills Café / Space, etc. After returning to Urban Planning and Development Division, she led the development of Toranomon Hills as the general manager of Pre-opening office in Project Planning Department. Currently, she is engaged in planning and design direction of new projects including Toranomon-Azabudai Project.

about jun mitsui:
Architect AIA,JIA/Jun Mitsui & Associates Inc. Architects/Pelli Clarke & Partners Japan, Inc.

After graduating from Tokyo University in 1978, Jun Mitsui practiced at Shinichi Okada Architects in Japan until 1982. He received his Master of Architecture from Yale University in 1984 and then practiced at Cesar Pelli & Associates, Inc. until 1992. He returned to Tokyo as a principal of Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, Japan and went on to found Jun Mitsui & Associates, Architects in 1995. He is a member of AIA, JIA and Japan Architects Academy. In 2007, he served as the AIA Japan component president. Jun Mitsui is a licensed architect in both Japan and the United States, he and his firm have been honored with numerous architectural awards.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1. Identify design strategies to create sustainable and better urban environments.

2. Describe the importance of the creative collaborations to make the urban space more exciting.

3. Explain the outline and process of pre-design by the project proponent

4. Analyze the differences between the perspectives of the business (developer) side and the architect's side in the ultimate design proposal.