Architectural Researcher / Ph.D.
Tokyo University of the Arts
Architectural Research Area
Structural Planning Laboratory
Ph.D. Candidate
Tokyo University of the Arts
Design Research Area
Spatial Design Laboratory
Ph.D. in Design
Co-Founder, OSOTO Lab.
Takatoku Nishi constructs space from the structures inherent in natural phenomena such as light, wind, and the movement of the atmosphere. Through contemporary materials and structures, he amplifies these phenomena and creates environments in which the forces of nature emerge as spatial experiences.
His work crosses disciplines including optics, meteorology, and structural mechanics, incorporating environmental energies such as sunlight and wind into the process of spatial production.
At the center of his practice is a methodology he calls “Apparatus Architecture.” He approaches architectural structures as apparatuses that mediate environmental forces, exploring the relationships that emerge among atmosphere, materials, and bodily perception. Through this approach, he develops “Phenomena Architecture,” an architectural practice that treats natural phenomena as elements that constitute space.
Environmental Phenomena
(light / wind / water)
↓
Observation and Experimentation
(Field Observation / Material and Optical Experiments)
↓
Architectural Apparatus
(Structural Systems Mediating Environmental Phenomena)
↓
Phenomena Architecture
(Spatializing Natural Phenomena)
↓
Atmospheric Spatial Experience
(Perception / Body / Atmosphere)
Photo: Martin Klein Schaarsberg
Takatoku Nishi was born in Gifu Prefecture, Japan, and grew up in Chigasaki from around the age of ten. Through encounters with forests, rivers, the sea, and shrine landscapes, he developed a sensitivity to changes in light, wind, sound, and atmosphere.
After graduating from a vocational school, he studied environmental design at Tama Art University and continued his research at Tokyo University of the Arts. He earned a Ph.D. in Design and is currently pursuing doctoral research in architecture at the same institution, focusing on structural systems inspired by optical phenomena and the mechanics of natural forces.
Working across art, architecture, design, and environmental research, Nishi develops and researches spatial installations and structural systems in Japan and internationally.
Recognition
Selected Awards
・Design Educates Awards 2024 — Emerging Designer Award & Honourable Mention (Architecture)
・LICC London International Creative Competition 2023 — Best in BUILD (Architecture)
・4 Future Awards 2023 — Gold Award in 4 Categories
・Architecture MasterPrize 2023 — Best of Best, Architectural Design / Conceptual Architecture
・LIT Lighting Design Awards 2023 — Winner, Emerging Architectural Lighting Designer of the Year
・BLT Built Design Awards 2023 — Winner, Emerging Architect of the Year
・Red Dot Design Award: Design Concept 2023 — Winner (Architecture)
・Architizer A+Awards 2023 — Special Mention (Architecture + Art)
・A’ Design Award 2023 — Silver Award (Architecture / Structure Design)
・JID Award 2022 — Grand Prize & Guest Jury Special Prize of Hiroshi Nakamura
・Arte Laguna Prize 2022 — First Selection (Land Art)
・Nomura Art Prize 2020 — Winner
・JIA · DAIKO Architect’s Lighting Competition 2013 — Grand Prize
Residencies
・TURN in Ecuador — Tokyo University of the Arts × Universidad de las Artes Exchange Program, Invited, Ecuador
・LKV — Lademoen Kunstnerverksteder — Artist-in-Residence, Selected through Open Call, Norway
・ARE — Artist Residencies Enschede — Artist-in-Residence, Selected through Open Call, Netherlands
・OLD MINE — Artist-in-Residence, Selected through Open Call, Finland
・Ateljé Stundars — Artist-in-Residence, Selected through Open Call, Finland
・HIAP — Helsinki International Artist Programme — Selected through TOKAS Exchange Residency Program, Finland
・Institute of Art Malta — Artist-in-Residence, Recommended, Malta
Selected Grants
・UNION Foundation for Ergodesign Culture
・Scandinavia–Japan Sasakawa Foundation
・Japan Arts Foundation
・Gyomu Super Japan Dream Foundation — Overseas Dispatch Support
・Nomura Foundation — Arts and Culture Grant
Photo: HIAP Studio,
Suomenlinna, Finland, 2023