Tomoiku Ara

Tomoiku Ara (born 1950 in Tokyo) is a Japanese architect and interior designer. He graduated from the Nihon University Department of Fine Arts.^[1]

Chronology

• 1950 – Born in Tokyo
• 1973 – Graduated from Nihon University
• 1976 – Moved to Italy. Pietro Frenguelli Architects Office.
• 1979 – Joined the Superstudio in Florence, studied under Cristiano Toraldo Di Francia^[2]
• 1981 – Prized at the 16th Triennale di Milano
• 1982 – Established Studio Tomo Ara
• 1988–1993 – College of Industrial Technology, Nihon University Lecturer in Architectural Engineering
• 2002–2007 – Nihon University College of Art Lecturer in Architectural Design Instructor

Representative works

In 1986, the reconstruction of the Hotel New Hakodate was published in the Italian magazine Ottagono. The project received international recognition.^[3]

In 1988, Ara designed the interior of a residential building, VILLA IN A SMALL MOUNTAIN, and in 1992, the interior of a restaurant, CAPRICCIO.^[4][5]

In 2008, Ara completed a large-scale apartment building in Chitose Karasuyama, which he designed in collaboration with architects Cristiano Traldo di Francia and Hiroshi Soeda, under the theme of "Nature in the City".^[6]

As a contributor, Ara has successfully organized international events such as TEATRO SUPERSTUDIO (2008) and X-SCAPES Design Exhibition (2009).^[7][8]

As of 2020, architecture and design projects are underway, focusing on regenerative architecture and other forms of "Community Design".

References

1. Official Website STUDIO TOMO ARA
2. JAPAN INTERIOR DESIGN 'Super Studio and Radicals'
3. Ottagono 83, p 90-94, CO.P.IN.A., Milano (Italy), December 1986
4. CASA VOGUE November 1990 N.224 p 196-197
5. INTERNI 425 November 1992 p 114-115 (Italy)
6. Magazine 'Konnichiwa' 10 Vol.284 2007 p 20
7. Lecture 'Theatre Superstudio Tokyo 2008
8. Design Exhibition 'X-SCAPES' Tokyo 2009

Literature

• "DESIGN PER LA TERRA – STUDIO TOMO ARA ASSOCIATI" 1992
• STUDIO TOMO ARA – Official Website, browsed 27 December 2020