Japan in Florence

Studio Lauria designed a temporary pavilion for a photographic exhibition in Florence dedicated to important names in architecture: Kengo Kuma and photographer Nio Tatewaki.

Studio Lauria, mostra fotografica in occasione del Festival Giapponese di Firenze, 2016

During the last Japanese Festival in Florence, Studio Lauria designed the exhibition pavilion for two photographic exhibitions: “Lights and textures”, dedicated to the architecture of Kengo Kuma, and “Escultura do inconsciente”, one of the most successful photographic series of Japanese-Brazilian photographer Nio Tatewaki.

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Studio Lauria, exhibition pavilion durin the Japanese Festival in Florence, 2016

Studio Lauria, exhibition pavilion durin the Japanese Festival in Florence, 2016

Studio Lauria, exhibition pavilion durin the Japanese Festival in Florence, 2016

Studio Lauria, exhibition pavilion durin the Japanese Festival in Florence, 2016. Foto Fulvio Chiari

Studio Lauria, exhibition pavilion durin the Japanese Festival in Florence, 2016

The pavilion — 14x4 meters wide and four meters high — was built in front of the civic center designed by Richard Rogers. The load-bearing structure in multi-directional tubular steel was coated, on the two long sides, by a light textile. The inside was supported with a bamboo texture on which the photographic panels were positioned.

The overall result was an extremely lightweight structure playing with the concept of transparency, so common inJapanese architecture and strongly present in many works of Kengo Kuma’s works. The lighting was achieved by LED bars fixed on the top of the structure. The Japanese Festival, organized by Lailac and sponsored by the Japanese Embassy in Italy, is one of the most exemplary events of Japanese culture in Europe.

Japanese Festival 2016, Richard Rogers Centre, Florence
Program: photographic exhibition
Design: Studio Lauria
Contractors: Publifest, Intermezzo Blu, Vannetti & C
Year: 2016

Marble matters– exploring Carrara’s legacy

Sixteen young international architects took part in two intensive training days in Carrara, organized by FUM Academy and YACademy, featuring visits to the marble quarries and a design workshop focused on the use of the material.