A Laboratory for Architecture and Design—A Place to Learn, Think, and Act Together
Takanori Ito Laboratory explores and practices design with a holistic approach, viewing furniture, interior, architecture and urban environment as a unified continuum. Actively engaged in urban development as projects involving government, businesses, and citizens, we strive to make a meaningful impact on society and the world.
Design Research and Practice in Environmental Direction
How should cities and societies be envisioned and designed in the post–high economic growth era? As times change, the approach has shifted from top-down, government-led development to build-up models that emphasize community-led initiatives. To make the most of existing environments, it is essential to evaluate both the strengths and weaknesses to “diagnose” the city. We define “Environmental Direction” as a form of cross-disciplinary design that goes beyond the physical aspects such as architecture, to include intangible elements like human psychology and behavior, while leveraging what already exist in cities and regions.
Just like holistic medicine, which seeks rood causes through comprehensive diagnosis of human bodies, our laboratory aims to become a place where urban and social issues are analyzed across disciplines and addressed through integrated design strategies.
Main Areas of Research and Practice
Place Branding
Today, not only companies and regions, but also cities and neighborhoods are expected to engage in branding. Moving away from the conventional “scrap-and-build” development model, our research and practice focus on branding from the perspective of environmental staging; a design approach that assigns new meanings to the existing environment and bring out their latent potential. We explore how places can be revitalized and reinterpreted, creating renewed value through thoughtful, context-aware design.
Inclusive Design
Developed countries are entering an era of super-aged societies, where not only pensions and other social systems but also qualities of living environments surrounding the older people have become critical issues. Our research and practice focus on designing inclusive living environments; from barrier-free interiors and adaptive furniture that can be comfortably used by people of all ages and abilities, to spatial strategies that facilitate social interaction and community building.
Area Management
Urban development today requires more than volunteer-led effort; it demands perspective rooted in local governance. Our research supports and engages in area management initiatives that aim to evolve from informal groups into certified organizations such as Urban Renaissance Promotion Corporation.
We collaborate closely with landowners, businesses, residents, and local shopping districts to help formulate long-term visions for communities. These efforts include social experiments along with the creation of for-profit activities that support the realization of these visions.
Commercial Environmental Design
Our research and practice aim to enhance the quality of environments that support urban communication and commercial activity. We explore the design of commercial facilities and retail spaces, not only as individual architectural units but also as key components in shaping vibrant, business-friendly urban environments.
Green Station Design
In urban areas, the slowdown of development has led to an increase in surface parking lots and vacant spaces. To transform cities into more livable and relaxing environments, it is essential to implement greening strategies in underutilized spaces such as rooftops, walls, and vacant lots.
Our research and practice aim to foster biodiversity by green design using a rich variety of plant life to create habitats for diverse species.
Sharing System Design
As our society is moving away from the era of mass-production and mass-consumption, there is growing demand for design that prioritize environmental responsibility and lifestyle value. Goods and services are shifting from a consumption-based model to a sharing-based model. Our research and practice involve pilot projects that explore sharing systems such as public bicycles, communal umbrellas and learning environments to promote sustainable behaviors.