The ‘Distillation of Architecture’ exhibition at the AA in London showcases innovative furniture designs through collaborations between architects and craftspeople. The event highlights the interplay of Japanese craftsmanship and modern architectural practices, with pieces ranging from a mobile pub to a thatched canopy. It runs until 7 March 2025 and celebrates 30 years of collaboration with Maeda Corporation.
A new exhibition titled ‘Distillation of Architecture’ at the Architectural Association (AA) in London showcases the interplay between architectural design and craftsmanship, particularly viewed through a Japanese perspective. The display features collaborative works from various architectural firms partnered with material specialists, highlighting traditional techniques and modern interpretations in furniture and object design.
Participating teams include Schemata Architects with Ikuya Sagara; Studio MNM collaborating with Kittaka Brothers & Corp, Bansyo, iskw_sss, and Imatoku Kogei; Suzuko Yamada with Yuki Murakami; and Tsubame Architects teamed with Hidakuma Studio. Each group reimagined a furniture piece, resulting in unique items such as a mobile pub, lanterns, rugs, and a thatched canopy, using materials like timber offcuts and blue-dyed fabric.
Shin Egashira, Head of the Koshirakura Landscape Workshop, emphasised the need for designers to rethink mass-produced furniture, blending architectural elements with traditional crafts. “They combine architectural elements with furniture, playfully echoing the diverse forms that contemporary lifestyles can take,” he noted. The exhibition encourages a fresh understanding of how architecture can adapt to modern minimalism and mobility.
Open until 7 March 2025, this exhibition celebrates 30 years of collaboration between the AA and Maeda Corporation. It provides visitors with a unique lens on architecture and craft, showcasing the creative dialogue between contemporary design practices and Japan’s rich crafting traditions.
The ‘Distillation of Architecture’ exhibition seeks to merge traditional Japanese craftsmanship with innovative architectural design. This initiative at the Architectural Association offers insight into collaborative practices that reimagine everyday objects, encouraging dialogue about sustainable design and the evolution of furniture in response to modern lifestyles. The event is supported by the Maeda Corporation, marking three decades of partnership with the AA.
The ‘Distillation of Architecture’ exhibition successfully merges architecture with craft, showcasing innovative furniture design inspired by traditional Japanese techniques. The partnerships formed in this creative exploration illustrate the potential of design to evolve and adapt to contemporary needs while celebrating cultural heritage. Visitors can engage with unique interpretations of familiar objects until March 2025.
Original Source: www.wallpaper.com