Toyo Ito
Riken Yamamoto (b. 1945) is one of the most eminent architects working in Japan today. Among his many innovative projects are Jian Wai SOHO, Beijing (2003); Yokosuka Museum of Art (2007); and Odawara Public Hall (in progress).Toyo Ito (b. 1941) graduated from Tokyo University's Department of Architecture in 1965. After working for Kiyonori Kikutake Architects from 1965 to 1969, he started his own studio in Tokyo, Urban Robot (urbot), in 1971. In 1979, the studio changed its name to Toyo Ito & Associates, Architects. From his early White U in 1976 and Silver Hut in 1984 (both residential projects), to the much-larger Sendai Mediatheque (2000) and Island City Central Park GrinGrin (2005), Ito has shown himself to be one of the most radically creative and influential architects of his generation. Ito has won many awards, including the Brunner Memorial Prize in 2000 and the RIBA Gold Medal in 2006.Dana Buntrock is a Professor of Architecture at the University of California, Berkeley. She has written widely on all aspects of Japanese architecture, but specializes in the period after 1900.Taro Igarashi is a Professor of Architecture at Tohoku University, Sendai. His broad range of interests crosses design, philosophy, and the arts.