Photo by Martin Klein Schaarsberg (@martinkleinschaarsberg)
Takatoku NISHI | Phenomena Architect / Ph.D.
Takatoku Nishi is fascinated by the order and beauty hidden in natural phenomena such as light and wind, reconstructing them through contemporary materials and structures to create poetic and sensory spatial experiences. His works integrate principles of optics, meteorology, and structural mechanics while harnessing natural energies like sunlight and wind, making environmental phenomena perceptible within architectural space.
Through a methodological framework he calls Apparatus Architecture, Nishi explores Phenomena Architecture — an approach that redefines natural phenomena not merely as objects of observation but as constitutive elements of space. By relying on natural forces rather than artificial energy, his works design spatial experiences that resonate between the environment and human perception.
After earning a Ph.D. in Art from Tokyo University of the Arts, he is currently pursuing a second doctoral degree in architecture, focusing on structural systems inspired by optical phenomena. Alongside his research, he actively engages in international art projects, residencies, and conferences to explore new relationships between phenomena and architecture.
- Experience -
2022 - Pres. OSOTO lab. (Co-founded a collaborative artist duo)
2020 - Pres. OPO Inc. (Support member)
2018 - 2022 The Institute of Environmental Art and Design (Officers)
2016 - 2022 Space Production Lab. (Task Force-style Group / Representative)
- Education -
2021 - Pres. Ph.D. Candidate, Tokyo University of the Arts in Architecture
2018 - 2021 Ph.D. in Design, Tokyo University of the Arts (Top of the class)
2016 - 2018 M.A. in Design, Tokyo University of the Arts (Honored with the Design N)
2012 - 2016 B.A. in Environmental Design, Tama Art University (Top of the class)
2008 - 2010 Diploma in Interior Design, TOKYO DESIGNER GAKUIN
- Artist-in-residence Program -
2025. 10 - 11 LKV (Lademoen Kunstnerverksteder), Artist-in-Residence, Norway
2025. 06 - 08 ARE (Artist Residencies Enschede), Artist-in-Residence, Netherlands
2025. 03 - 06 OLD MIINE, Artist-in-Residence, Finland
2024. 05 - 08 Ateljé Stundars guest artists, Finland
2023. 08 - 11 TOKAS Tokyo-Helsinki Exchange Residency Program
HIAP – Helsinki International Artist Programme, Finland
2018. 09 - 03 Institute of Art Malta -language program-, Malta of European Republic
- Exhibition -
2025 "Zon Weef", Exhibition by ARE artists-in-residence OSOTO lab.,
B93, Hoge Bothofstraat 166, Enschede (NL)
2025 "Old Mine Residency Guest Artists Exhibition",
Vanha Kaivos, Kaivosmiehenpolku 3 Outokumpu (FIN)
2024 "Breathing Particles", TOKAS Creator-in-Residence 2024 Exhibition,
Tokyo Arts and Space Hongo, Tokyo.
2024 "Ateljé Stundars Guest Artists", Art Program, Stundars Open Air Museum and
Centre of Culture and Art, Stundarsintie 5, Solf (FIN)
2024 "40 x 40 Art & Design Exhibition The Castle of Ravadinovo In Love with the Wind”, A' Special Design Exhibition, Ravadinovo (BUL)
2024 "40×40 INTERNATIONAL DESIGN EXHIBITION", A' Special Design Exhibition
Featuring Designers from 40 Countries, Academic Design Center of Academy of
Fine Arts in Lódz-Ksiezy Mlyn, Łódź (POL)
2023 "HIAP Open Studios / Autumn 2023", Group Exhibition, HIAP Studio Building
(Suomenlinna B34), Suomenlinna (FIN)
2023 "INTERNATIONAL DESIGN / EXHIBITION", Special Exhibition, Museum of
Outstanding Design. MOOD Museum of Design, Como (ITA)
2023 "JID AWARD 2022 Recipient Panel Touring Exhibition", Touring exhibition in Japan.
2022 "JHOMON ART Onahama International Environmental Art Festival", Special
Exhibition, Aquamarine Fukushima, Fukushima.
2022 "THE WAY", Group Exhibition, Valletta IAM Contemporary Art, Valletta (MLT)
2021 "Naoetsu Umimachi Art", Art Event, Funami Park Coast, Niigata.
2021 "TOKYO GEIDAI ART FES BY AUGMENTED REALITY", Special Exhibition, Former
Zentsuji Kaikosha, Kagawa.
2020 "Tokyo University of the Arts Graduate Art Research Doctoral Exh 2020", Tokyo.
2019 "SUTTEN - Is That Design?", Group Exhibition, Aoyama Spiral Garden, Tokyo.
2019 "20th Anniversary Conference of the Environmental Art Society: Environment and
Art 1964 TOKYO 2020", Conference Exhibition, Zojoji Temple, Tokyo.
2019 "Land Politics", Group Exhibition, Valletta Contemporary Art Gallery, Valletta (MLT)
2018 "Transnational Tokyo", Group Exhibition, 138 St. Christopher Street, Valletta (MLT)
2018 "European Capital of Culture VALLETTA 2018", Art Event, Mediterranean, Valletta
(MLT)
2018 "Tokyo University of the Arts Graduation Exhibition", Tokyo.
2017 "SUKI FES 2017", Art Event, Ueno Park, Tokyo.
2016 "JID AWARD 2016 Recipient Panel Touring Exhibition", Touring exhibition in Japan
2016 "Ueno Night Park: The First Night", Art Event, Ueno Park, Tokyo.
2016 "Winter Vista Illumination 2016", Art Event, Showa Memorial Park, Takto.
2016 "MIDLAND CHRISTMAS 2016", Art Event, Midland Square, Nagoya.
2016 "MITSUKOSHI × GEIDAI DESIGN AWARD", Group Exhibition, Nihonbashi
Mitsukoshi, Tokyo.
2016 "SUKI FES 2016", Art Event, Ueno Park, Tokyo.
2015 "Tama Art University Department of Environmental Design Graduation Exhibition",
Tokyo.
2015 "Shinjuku Creators Festa, Spatial Design Exhibition", Shinjuku Center Building, Tokyo.
2014 "Pacific Rim 9th: Light & Shadow - The Art of Illumination-", Final Exhibition, Tama Art
University Library, Tokyo.
2013 "12dazn", Group Exhibition, The Artcomplex Center of Tokyo.
2013 "JIA Architect's Light Competition 2013 Recipient Panel Exhibition", Chika - Ho,
Hokkaido.
- Art Project -
2025 'ARE artists-in-residence', by OSOTO lab,
B93, Hoge Bothofstraat 166, Enschede (NL)
2025 'Old Mine Residency Guest Artists', by OSOTO lab,
Vanha Kaivos, Kaivosmiehenpolku 3 Outokumpu (FIN)
2024 'Ateljé Stundars Guest Artists', by OSOTO lab, Stundars Open Air Museum and
Centre of Culture and Art, Stundarsintie 5, Solf (FIN)
2021 'ART SEASIDE NAOETSU', by Space Production Lab, Coast around Funami Park,
Niigata.
2018 'European Capital of Culture - Valletta 2018', by Space Production Lab,
Mediterranean, Malta (MLT)
2017 'TOKYO SUKI FES 2017', by Space Production Lab, Ueno Cultural Park, Tokyo.
2017 'Night wedding', by Space Production Lab, Oriental Hotel, Chiba.
2016 'UENO PARK NIGHT EVENT SERIES', by Space Production Lab, Ueno Cultural Park,
Tokyo.
2016 'Light workshop', by Space Production Lab, Machiya-kindergarten, Tokyo.
2016 'Midland Square Midland Christmas', Stage, Collaboration work, Aichi
2016 'TOKYO SUKI FES 2016', by Space Production Lab, Ueno Cultural Park, Tokyo.
2014 'Pacific Rim 9th: Light & Shadow - The Art of Illumination-', International
Collaborative Education Project, Tama Art University, Tokyo.
- Collaborative Realization and Design -
2020 KYOCERA Museum of Art, KYOTO STEAM – International Arts × Science Fes –
2020:Weaving Water, Structural Design & Exterior Design & Development of
sound - dampening equipment & Construction & Install, Kyoto
2020 Narita International Airport, Open Space: Wall greening with wind, Wind
operation & Structural Design & Construction & Install, Chiba
2017 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Design Gallery: Sight, Space Design
& Object Production & Construction & Install, Kanazawa
- Jury -
2023 JID AWARD 2023, Guest jury
2022 IEAD23, Akita Conference 'Excellent Presentation Award', Judging members
- Awards -
2025 Shortlisted in Create (art), LICC - London International Creative Competition 2024,
Categories CREATE (Art).
2025 Shortlisted in Create (art), LICC - London International Creative Competition 2024,
Categories CREATE (Art). / by OSOTO lab.
2025 World Top Designers Visionary – Best Designers Worldwide 2025 A' Design Award (ITA)
2025 World Top Architects Innovator – Best Architects Worldwide 2025 A' Design Award (ITA)
2024 Emerging Designer Winner, Design Educates Awards 2024, Categories
Architecture. (POL)
2024 Honorable Mention in Architectural Design Winner, Design Educates
Awards 2024, Categories Architecture.
2024 Best in BUILD (Architecture)Winner, LICC - London International Creative
Competition 2023, Categories BUILD (Architecture). (GBR)
2024 Shortlisted in Create (art), LICC - London International Creative Competition 2023,
Categories CREATE (Art). / by Space Production Lab.
2023 Gold Award Winner, 4 Future awards 2023, Light Art category. (CAN)
2023 Gold Award Winner, 4 Future awards 2023, Architectural & Art category.
2023 Gold Award Winner, 4 Future awards 2023, Daylight project category.
2023 Honorable Mention Winner, 4 Future awards 2023, Architectural Design-
Conceptual Architecture category.
2023 Best of Best (Student Prize) Winner, ARCHITECTURE MASTERPRIZE
AWARDS 2023, Categories ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN / Conceptual
Architecture. (USA)
2023 EMERGING ARCHITECTURAL LIGHTING DESIGNER OF THE YEAR
Winner, LIT LIGHTING DESIGN AWARDS 2023, Categories ARCHITECTURAL
LIGHTING DESIGN / Daylighting. (CHE)
2023 Winner, LIT LIGHTING DESIGN AWARDS 2023, Categories
ARCHITECTURAL LIGHTING DESIGN / Visitor Experience & Museum Exhibition.
2023 ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN OF THE YEAR (Emerging Architect of the Year)
Winner, BLT Built Design Awards 2023, Categories Architectural Design. (CHE)
2023 Special Mention Winner, Architizer: Vision Awards, Category of Student
Creator Of The Year 2023. (USA)
2023 Winner of Red Dot, Red Dot Design Award: Design Concept, Category of
Architecture. (DEU, SGP)
2023 Finalist, Red Dot Design Award: Design Concept, Category of Exhibition and
Events.
2023 Special Mention Winner, A + Awards, Category of Architecture + Art.(USA)
2023 SILVER A' DESIGN AWARD Winner, A' Design Award and Competition,
Category of Architecture / Building and Structure Design. (ITA)
2022 Grand Prix Winner, JID AWARD 2022. (JPN)
2022 Guest Jury Special Prize of Hiroshi Nakamura Winner, JID AWARD 2022.
2021 Art Renaissance Prize Winner, TOKYO GEIDAI Art Fest. (JPN)
2021 Guest Jury Special Prize of Kengo Kuma Winner, TOKYO GEIDAI Art Fest.
2021 Nomura Art Prize Winner, Nomura Foundation. (JPN)
2018 Award of Design N Winner, Tokyo University of Arts. (JPN)
2017 Shortlisted, 17th ART MEETS ARCHITECTURE COMPETITION. (JPN)
2016 Category of NEXTAGE Prize Winner, JID AWARD 2016. (JPN)
2015 Grand Prize Graduation work Winner, TAMA ART UNIVERSITY,
Department of Environmental Design. (JPN)
2015 Grand Prize Winner, Shinjuku Creators Festa, Category of space design. (JPN)
2013 Grand Prize Winner, JIA･DAIKO Architecture Lighting Design Competition. (JPN)
- Selected Grant -
2025 Dispatch Grant (Arts Sector), Gyomu Super Japan Dream Foundation /
OSOTO lab.
2025 Dispatch Grant (Overseas Research / Training), Public Interest Incorporated
Foundation Union of Formative Arts and Culture
2025 Dispatch Grant, Scandinavia–Japan Sasakawa Foundation / OSOTO lab.
2024 Dispatch Grant (Arts Sector), Gyomu Super Japan Dream Foundation /
OSOTO lab.
2024 Arts and Culture Grant, Nomura Foundation / OSOTO lab.
2023 Exchange Residency Program (Japanese Creators Sent Abroad), TOKAS
(Tokyo Arts and Space)
- Academic Distinction -
2024 Gion Arts and Sports Promotion Foundation.
2022 Japan Arts Foundation.
2021 Repayment Exemption for Students with Excellent Grades, JASSO.
(Exemption of all of the loan)
2020 HIrayama Ikuo Cultural Arts Foundation.
2018 Repayment Exemption for Students with Excellent Grades, JASSO.
(Exemption of all of the loan)
2015 Scholarship, The Alumni Association of Tama Art University.
2015 Prize fellowship, TAMA ART UNIVERSITY.
2015 THE MORITANI SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION.
2014 First place, Japan Student Services Organization.
2014 Honors Scholarship, TAMA ART UNIVERSITY.
2014 Prize fellowship, TAMA ART UNIVERSITY.
- Thesis, Conference Presentation -
2025 Transforming Environmental Phenomena into Embodied Spatial Experience through Apparatus Architecture: A Case Study of “Ripple,” A Site-Specific Installation.
Published in Advanced Design Conference 2025 Proceedings
(ISBN 978-88-97977-94-0).
2021 Phenomena of Light and Atmosphere — 光が織りなす現象と空気感.
Thesis / Dissertation_02(1), Degree No. 12606-Kou-1033.
2020 Academic journal: Institute of Environmental Art and Design, No24. (Published)
2019 Academic journal: Institute of Environmental Art and Design, No23. (Published)
2019 20th Anniversary Convention " Environmental Art 1964 TOKYO 2020",
Tokyo, Japan. (Panel and Oral presentation)
2018 Academic journal: Institute of Environmental Art and Design, No21. (Published)
2018 3rd Fujian Province Taiwan Culture & Creative design forum, China. (Panel)
- Special Lecture -
2025 MEET US: Artist presentation (OSOTO lab.), Speaker, Concordia Enschede
Langestraat 56, 7511 HC Enschede (NL)
2024 Breathing Particles Phase 2: Artist Talk 2, Speaker, Tokyo Arts and Space
Hongo, Tokyo
2023 Lecture on “Basic Formative Arts”, Guest Lecturer, Department of Architecture,
Musashino Art University, Tokyo
2023 JID AWARD Forum 2022 & 2023 New Year Exchange Event, Solo Presentation,
Organized by Japan Interior Designers' Association (JID), Tokyo Midtown Liaison
Center, Tokyo
2023 [Seminar] Design Students Exchange Project “The Present State of Interior Design”,
Speaker, Organized by Nagoya City & International Design Center NAGOYA Inc.,
Co-organized by Japan Interior Designers' Association (JID) & Chubu Design
Association, Nagoya Innovators Garage 3F, Aichi