Keiichiro Sako

Keiichiro Sako（1970 - ）is a Japanese architect. 
He established the first architectural design office by a Japanese architect in China（SAKO Architects ）. Currently based in Beijing, Tokyo, and Fukuoka, he is involved in a wide range of design projects from shop interiors to large-scale developments.
==Career==
Born in Fukuoka Prefecture in 1970. His grandfather was a movie sign painter, one of only three in Fukuoka City at the time.
In 1986, he entered Fukuoka Prefectural Chikushigaoka High School. He was a member of the baseball club as vice-captain and reached the semi-finals of the prefectural tournament.
In 1990, he entered the Tokyo Institute of Technology. Studied spatial composition and urban structure under Professor Kazunari Sakamoto throughout his undergraduate and graduate studies. One of his seniors in the yacht club is Masayoshi Takeuchi of Mikangumi.
1996, upon completion of the graduate school of Tokyo Institute of Technology , he joined Rikien Yamamoto & Field Shop. Immediately after joining the firm, he won the competition for the "Hiroshima City West Fire Station ," for which he was in charge. Although he was a rookie, he was in charge of the project as a project leader until its completion. Next, he won the competition for "Beijing Jianwai SOHO " for which he was in charge. He was stationed in Beijing as soon as construction started, and was in charge of the project until the completion of the third phase. 
After leaving Rikien Yamamoto & Field Shop, he was commissioned to design the "CUBE TUBE in Jinhua ," which led him to establish SAKO Architects in Beijing in 2004. It was the first architectural design firm in China to be established by a Japanese architect. In the same year, the Tokyo office was opened, followed by the Fukuoka office in 2013. By 2022, he has completed more than 160 projects and visited more than 50 cities in China.
In 2004-2005, he was a visiting scholar at Columbia University. as an overseas trainee artist dispatched by the Agency for Cultural Affairs.
In 2007, he held a two-person exhibition, “REALIZE - Emerging from China to the World," at Gallery Ma. By setting the ground level of all the models at 1.3m high, the exhibition represented an imaginary city lined with SAKO's architecture. The book "28 Subjects: The Architecture of Keiichiro Sako" (TOTO Publishing Co., Ltd.), published at the same time, describes the ideas behind the "subjects.
In 2008, he appeared in one of Japan's most famous documentaries, "Jounetsu Tairiku" (Passion Continent). The film depicted a young Japanese architect struggling under difficult circumstances to realize a large-scale project in China, which was developing at a tremendous pace. The documentary concludes with the words of Sako: "I am simply happy that the line I drew is taking shape."
In 2008, He began a project to donate an earthquake-resistant elementary school (later converted to a kindergarten) to the areas affected by the Sichuan Earthquake. He visited the affected areas many times to negotiate with the local government, but was forced to change the site and use of the building several times for various reasons. Each time he responded with design changes, but as a result, the project was never realised.
The following text from Ai Weiwei appears on the back cover of the book "Subject 40: The Architecture of Keiichiro Sako" (Tsinghua University Press), a collection of his works published in 2009.
I have known Keiichiro Sako for many years and have always been impressed by his sincerity, courage and creativity in architecture. It is rare in the architectural world in China for a young architect to produce such excellent architecture and to try his best in every project. His work reflects the ideals of a young architect and the possibility of further development. His practice in China is an example for us. (Translated by contributor)
In 2011, at the "Architectural Design Exhibition by Young Architects to Support the Recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake", Sako proposed the "Tohoku Sky Village Concept" as a reconstruction plan for the tsunami-affected areas. The concept was "If there is no high ground, we can build it." An oval reinforced concrete wall with a radius of 100 meters would deflect the tsunami, and houses would be rebuilt on artificial ground 20 meters above sea level. He feared that the national policy of resisting future major tsunamis by building higher seawalls would result in a semi-permanent break with the ocean.
Rather than ending the project as an exhibition idea, he worked toward its realization with the support of Nobuyuki Idei, which caught the attention of Mayor Iso Sasaki of Natori City. Sako corporated the opinions of disaster victims and evolved the project into "Natori Sky Village," incorporating the functions of the Yuriage fishing port. The mayor proposed the project to the citizens as a reconstruction plan for the Yuriage area, but it was not realized because the residents could not reach a consensus.
In 2013, he was named one of the "10 Most Influential Architects in China".
In 2013, on March 11, two years after the Great East Japan Earthquake, he published "Hope is Something You Build" (WAVE Publishers Co., Ltd.). The book describes his life, including his upbringing, his activities in China, and his efforts in the areas affected by the two earthquakes.
In 2013, he became the total producer of the smartphone "freebit mobile" (renamed "TONE mobile" in 2015). He oversees all aspects of design, including store interiors, devices, UI, uniforms, and commercials.
In 2014, he and Takeshi Okada co-hosted "Switch Interview by Masters" as two people who are active on the Chinese stage. Their motto was the same: "You Never Know how Things will Turn Out”.
In 2017 he carried out organizational reforms aimed at expanding the network around the world and changed the name to "WAOJE" (World Association of Overseas Japanese Entrepreneurs) while serving as the first representative director after assuming the position of chairman of “Wakyo Sokai" (General Meeting of Overseas Japanese Entrepreneurs). He also designed the new logo.
In 2022, NHK 's language program "Chinese! Navi," in which he demonstrated his fluent Chinese.
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==Works==
 
*2003　
**TRANSITION in Tokyo (crafts shop: T)
*2004　
**STITCH in Seoul (office: Center Course)
**BOXES in Beijing (boutique: Felissimo)
* 2005　
**STORAGE in Tokyo (distribution warehouse)
**BUBBLE in Seoul (shop: Selva Fonte)
**KIDS REPUBLIC in Beijing (picture book store: Poplar)
**KALEIDOSCAPE in Tianjin (commercial + office: Shanggu Shopping Mall: collaboration with oriental design corporation)
*2006　
**MONOCHROME in Beijing (showroom: Cibol)
**TRANSFORM in Beijing (boutique: Felissimo)
**ROMANTICISM in Hangzhou (boutique)
**COLUMNAR CITY in Tianjin (urban planning)
* 2007　
**BEANS in Kanazawa (book store: Meibundo)
**ROMANTICISM 2 in Hangzhou (boutique)
**IMAGINARIUM in Barcelona (toy store: Imaginarium)
*2008　
**STRIPES in Jinan (housing complex)
**MOSAIC in Beijing (housing+shopping mall)
**FLOAT in Beijing (boutique: Eifini)
**BRANCH in Changchun (cultural facility)
**DOTS in Ulaanbaatar (factory shop: Gobi)
**HONYCOMB in Shenzhen (restaurant: Honycomb)
**LATTICE in Beijing (commercial facility: Taikoo Li Sanlitun)
**CONTOUR in Tokyo (antenna shop: Flat Flat)
**KIDS REPUBLIC in Shanghai (picture book store: Poplar)
**FLOAT in Chengdu (boutique: Eifini)
**STEPS in Beijing (cafe)
**BUMPS in Beijing (housing + department store)
**PATIO in Sichuan (kindergarten/elementary school donation project)
* 2009　
**ROMANTICISM 3 in Hangzhou (boutique)
**ROTATION in Suzhou (boutique: Jeanswest)
**VOID in Beijing (office + commercial)
**SEQUENCE in Wuxi (boutique: Jeanswest)
**WOVEN in Beijing (restaurant: Forward)
**PIXEL Prelude in Beijing (show apartment : Pixel)
**UNITY in Beijing (boutique: Awakening)
*2010　
**MATERIALITY in Beijing (Sanlitun SOHO office building interior + mockup workstation)
**LAYERS in Jinan (housing complex: Dashun Tiancheng Chinese Box)
**FOLLY in Beijing (boutique: Marco & Mari)
**RADIAL in Beijing (office: Cig)
**CUT in Beijing (boutique: Malabata)
**CUBE TUBE in Jinhua (office + restaurant)
**ORGANISM in Shenzhen (boutique: Tangy)
**FRAGMENTATION in Wuhan (boutique: Jeanswest)
**RIPPLES in Beijing (boutique: Snow Image)
**APODON in Xiamen (book store: Apodon)
**ROUND in Beijing (early education school: Baby Care)
**BLOSSOM in Tokyo (restaurant: 1000 flowers)
*2011　
**LABYRINTH in Shanghai (kids clubhouse: Marco & Mari)
**ARCHES in Shanghai (showroom: Gobo)
**SPIRAL in Yinchuan (boutique: Arcos)
**SKY VILLAGE in East Japan (reconstruction plan for tsunami-affected areas)
**SKY VILLAGE in Natori (artificial ground + house + fishing port + fish processing plant)
* 2012　
**GRID in Beijing (auto show: Honda)
**LOOP in Tianjin (kindergarten: Tanggu Ocean City)
**ZIGZAG in Tianjin (primary school: Tanggu Ocean City)
**BUTTONS in Lishui (boutique: Nickie)
**ASTERISK in Beijing (winery: Shenglu)
**TRIPLE in Beijing (winery: Shenglu)
**GRID in Guangzhou (auto show: Honda)
**FOREST in Xinxiang (department store: Shangchao Shopping Mal)
**COCON in Shanghai (office: Eral)
**PIXEL in Beijing (housing complex: Beijing Pixel)
**PLEATS CITY in Zhenjiang (urban planning: Zhenjiang New Eco-city)
* 2013　
**SHELVES in Beijing (book store: Citic)
**GRID in Shanghai (auto show: Honda)
**GRID 2 in Guangzhou (auto show: Honda)
**CIRCLES in Beijing (kids experiential learning facility: Family Box)
**SILK in Beijing (boutique: Kaili)
**ATELIER in Fukuoka (shop: Freebit Mobile)
**TREES in Komatsu (book store: Meibundo)
* 2014　
**PHOENIX CENTER in Beijing (TV station building: collaboration with Beijing institute of architectural design on interior design)
**SHELVES 2 in Beijing (book store: Citic)
**CHECKERS in Beijing (car maintenance: Checkers)
**COURTYARD in Beijing (kindergarten: William and Mary International Academy)
**ATELIER in Shibuya (shop: Freebit Mobile)
* 2015　
**COLUMNS in Shenzhen (kids experiential learning facility: Family Box)
**MONOLITH in Fukuoka (nursing home: Ever Garden)
**STEPS in Fukuoka (nursery school: Doronko)
**COLORS in Chengdu (office: Sichuan Xingkerong Pharmaceutical)
**OMEGA in Saitama (book store: Meibundo)
*2016　
**JURASSIC in Chengdu (shop: Chengdu Yintai in99)
**COMMUNITIES in Fukuoka (nursery school + nursing home: Kolin + Ever Garden)
**GREENS in Saitama (book store: Meibundo)
**PATCHWORK in Fukuoka (house)
**OCARINA in Hiroshima (nursery school: Kowa)
*2017
**VILLAGE in Beijing (exhibition space: Easy Home)
*2018
**WARP in Chongqing (commercial facility: Aironghuicheng)
*2019
**VERTICAL RAINBOW in Tokyo (office building: Musashi Paint)
**HAWKS STORE in Fukuoka (shop: Hawks Store)
**CRYSTAL in Jinan (office building: Jinan HuiJin International Financial Center)
*2020
**WHITE WHOLE in Nagasaki (nursery school: Mihune)
**KALEIDOSCOPE in Tianshui (kindergarten: Yangzheng)
*2022
**SHANGRI-LA in Oita (kids plaza: Park Place Oita)
**LATTICE in Fukuoka (multi-tenant building: Third Front)
==Award==
*2009: EuroShop Retail Design Award 2009 One of Three Best Stores Worldwide (ROMANTICISM 2 in Hangzhou)
*2013: Kuramae Venture Awards (Tokyo Institute of Technology)
*2016: International Entrepreneur Award Grand Prize (The Tokyo New Business Conference)
*2020: Vanceva World of Color Awards - Interior Category Winner (KALEIDOSCOPE in Tianshui)
*Other awards include Good Design Award and JCD Design Award (12 consecutive years since 2003).
==Publication==
*2006:「EDGE The Power of Materials」(National Art Museum of China)
*2007:「Subject 28: The Architecture of Keiichiro Sako」(TOTO Publishers Co., Ltd.)
*2009:「Subject 40: The Architecture of Keiichiro Sako」(Tsinghua University Press)
*2013:「Hope is Something You Build」(WAVE Publishers Co., Ltd.)
==TV Appearance==
* 『JOUNETSU TAIRIKU』January 13, 2008（MAINICHI BROADCASTING SYSTEM, INC.）
* 『WORLD AIR CURRENT』February 6, 2010（J-WAVE, Inc.）
* 『Today's Close-up』January 17, 2011（Japan Broadcasting Corporation）
* 『El Mundo』April 12, 2011（Japan Broadcasting Corporation）
* 『WORLD BUSINESS SATELLITE』August 26, 2011（TV TOKYO Holdings Corporation ）
* 『NHK Special』January 1, 2012（Japan Broadcasting Corporation）
* 『SUNDAY MORNING』January 1, 2012（BROADCASTING SYSTEM TELEVISION, INC）
* 『NEWS ANSWER』March 6, 2012（TV TOKYO Holdings Corporation ）
* 『Creating Japan』July 21, 2012（Nippon Television Network Corporation）
* 『Dawn of Gaia』September 18, 2012（TV TOKYO Holdings Corporation）
* 『Beyond Borders』August 31, 2013（Japan Broadcasting Corporation）
* 『J-Architect』January 30, 2014（Japan Broadcasting Corporation）
* 『Switch Interview by Masters』April 19, 2014（Japan Broadcasting Corporation）
* 『Contemporary Architecture Heritage』2018年2月4日, February 11, 2018（Asahi Satellite Broadcasting Limited）
* 『GINZA CROSSING TALK』December 9, 2021（Nikkei CNBC Japan, Inc.）
* 『Chinese! Navi』December 21, 2022（Japan Broadcasting Corporation ）
==Magazine==
* AERA No.28 June 28, 2010（Asahi Shimbun Publications Inc.）
*Architect’s magazine No.5 September 20, 2014（CREEK & RIVER Co., Ltd.）
==Related item==
* Kazunari Sakamoto
* Riken Yamamoto
* Nobuyuki Idei
* Ai Weiwei
Category:1970 births
Category:People from Fukuoka Prefecture
Category:Japanese people
Category:Japanese architects