Current Issue
Issue 286
Blueprint’s February issue focuses on Japanese architecture and design. In a special section within the magazine, and featured on the cover, is a new body of work by Japan’s leading product designer Naoto Fukasawa and landscape photographer Tamotsu Fujii. In treating the background as a significant object, the work suggests a new way of looking at product design.
Editor Vicky Richardson travelled to Japan to meet Kengo Kuma, one of Japan’s most globally successful architects with offices in Tokyo, Beijing and Paris. Kuma’s eclectic portfolio of projects is hard to pin down stylistically, but is this versatility a sign of strength or weakness? Guy Bird reports on the new Nissan Cube car, hugely popular in Tokyo, on its launch in the UK. The Cube is a car that is designed around personal space and is a break from the petrol head norm. Bird also reports on the 41st Tokyo Motor Show and picks out the three best compact cars. Gian Luca Amadei and Mami Sayo report on Kamoku, the Japanese company that is pioneering mass-produced furniture that can be customised and reused. Also, Vicky Richardson reports on from 100% Design and Design Tide to bring you the highlights from Tokyo Design Week.
Also in this issue; Cathelijine Nuijsink on being a young architect in Tokyo; architectural sweets by Toraya; Ben Hughes reviews two alternative visions of industrial design: Real Design at the Design Museum and Design Real at the Serpentine; Reviews include the ‘Sustaining Identity II’ and ‘Minimum or Maximum Cities’ conferences; Kenji Toki supplies his image of his Gundam Character for Man and Machine.
