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Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism The life and work of Arata Isozaki

defies characterization as belonging to any single school of unconventional and groundbreaking, like a real artist.
thought (Figure 6a and b). His great personality, sense of I learnt that architecture does not always have to be taken
humor and fascinating, complex character, combined with seriously.
his modesty, and extraordinary generosity that has helped Possessing a profound knowledge of architectural
so many younger architects to launch their careers, will not history and theory, I was always impressed by how
be forgotten. Sir Peter Cook, a friend of Isozaki since the well Isozaki knew the historical architecture of Ancient
1960s, wrote in the obituary for Isozaki (2023):
China, as well as Vienna, Potsdam, and Munich, and the
A personal loss, an architectural loss and a cultural immense respect he had for the greats of the guild, such
loss. Arata Isozaki was the most generous and as the Neoclassicists, Karl Friedrich Schinkel and Leo von
supportive of friends: sometimes hiding the depth Klenze, or Otto Wagner, but also the work of the German
of his wisdom behind humor, sometimes acting modernists such as Mies van der Rohe, Hilbersheimer,
almost like a teacher, and always pointing to the Scharoun, and Ungers, which he knew in detail.
wider or deeper significance of things going on
around. Immensely generous in introducing fellow Five years before his death, Arata Isozaki donated his
architects who might sometimes be regarded as vast collection of books and drawings, and quietly moved
rivals or eventual rivals without fear: this is very with his partner, gallery owner Misa Shin, from Tokyo
unlike most architects who are afraid to introduce to Naha on the Japanese island of Okinawa, in search
rivals (Extract from the obituary by Cook, 2023). of warmer climes, living along the beach in a peaceful
residential neighborhood, from where he continued to
The world has lost an important cultural voice, a work. His brain remained sharp until the end. In the past
thought leader, and a brilliant, provocative and poetic years, I had plans to visit him again in Japan; however, it
mind. As discussed in this article, his thinking was not never happened. I should have made it real. Now, it is too
only shaped by a multitude of influences, by observing late.
the violence of war at the time he grew up but also by the
immense optimism of this era. Early influences are critical The firm, Arata Isozaki and Associates, has decided
to understanding how the characteristics of an artist’s work to continue to operate after the passing of its founder,
emerge, coined by early life experiences. The importance informing their business partners: “The firm’s experienced
of the early life of great creative leaders, and for that matter team who worked closely with Arata Isozaki over the
of any individual, cannot be overstated if we want to years will continue to lead the ongoing projects around
understand their actions in greater depth. the world and seek new projects. Isozaki has left behind
a legacy of many built and unbuilt projects which provide
I was lucky to know Arata Isozaki well. In the 1990s,
we designed eight projects together – for sites in London, the blueprint for a rich philosophy and unique design
Vienna, and a series of German cities, including Berlin; approach that will guide the firm’s efforts moving forward”
of course, not all of them were realized. I am immensely (Direct email communication, January 2023).
grateful to have been given the opportunity to know him A true visionary and master architect, Arata Isozaki
and work closely with him. What I remember best are our died on December 28, 2022, at the age of 91.
many trips together to visit sites or to give presentations;
travels to the opening of the Venice Biennale in Italy and Acknowledgments
the Documenta exhibition in Kassel. In 1991 in Austria, The author would like to thank Arata Isozaki and Associates
we taught together at a design studio with Hans Hollein. for making the images of sketches and photos available and
Traveling with Isozaki meant that we always met up with thanks also go to the two reviewers for their valuable and
other architects of his caliber, on the global circuit: Stirling, constructive feedback.
Hollein, Portzamparc, Libeskind, and other leading
figures. Good food and red wine were appreciated. In the Funding
evening, we enjoyed attending concerts to listen to the
music of avant-garde composers John Cage or Luigi Nono No funding was provided.
(both of whom he met); at the Musikverein in Vienna or Conflict of interest
the Philharmonie in Berlin, we would marvel at the perfect
acoustics. Isozaki’s architecture was joyous and complex at The author declares no conflicts of interest. The author
the same time, and a celebration of independent thinking. worked with Arata Isozaki and Associates in Tokyo from
He was a stylish man and made it all look effortless. He 1990 to 1992 and subsequently collaborated as a project
was breaking rules by creating architecture that was partner for buildings in Berlin (1993 – 2000).

Volume 5 Issue 1 (2023) 17 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.353