The Monocle Book of Japan

Japan may be one of the world’s biggest economies, a global leader in everything from architecture to food and a country whose brands have flourished around the world, but it remains a bit of a mystery. Somehow it is simultaneously familiar and hard to fathom – or it has been, until now. This book is the culmination of years of reporting across the country by Monocle and it delivers a unique insight into the people, places and products that define Japan. Whether you’re planning a visit or simply curious, The Monocle Book of Japan will unpack the nation for you. We’ll take you from snowy Hokkaido in the north to the tropical southern islands of Okinawa and, along the way, deep-dive into the worlds of culture, design, retail and more. It’s Japan revealed as never before.

Features: 306 pages, hardcover with gold foil
Published by: Monocle
Printed in: Germany
Book Dimensions: 30cm x 22.5cm x 2.5cm
(11.8in x 8.8in x 1in)

a+u 2020:03
Architecture in Chile – In Search of a New Identity

Located at the “end of the world,” Chile’s idyllic landscapes create a perfect canvas for Chilean architects to express poetry in their architecture. To many, it is the utopian holiday homes that brought Chilean architecture into the international scene, and examples of these houses were previously featured in a+u 06:07 and in this issue, the House for the Poem of the Right Angle (see pp. 24–33) and Loba House (see pp. 44–51). Following 2010, however, we begin to see a different group of architects looking into less individualistic visions. Guided by a moral compass, they engage with the public or take up non-profit projects – Ruca Dwellings (see pp. 120–123) and Gabriela Mistral Cultural Center (see pp. 138–145) – that focus on social and sustainable issues which came to a halt during times of oppression. In an introductory essay, Diego Grass, an architect and tutor at Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, shares with us his insights into Chilean architecture since the 1990s. He describes how having gone through years of persistent domestic unrest, the country seeks to forge a new cultural identity that would bring a divided Chile together. 18 projects are selected in this issue to broaden our perspectives into architecture found in Chile, and the many ways these architects respond to its landscapes and urban territories.

English + Japanese / 168 Pages / 219 x 292 mm / 600 g

a+u 2020:02 
Feature: Toshiko Mori

The February issue of a+u is our first monograph dedicated to the architectural practice of Toshiko Mori. Based in New York, the Japanese native founded Toshiko Mori Architect (TMA) in 1981. The introductory essay by Fred A. Bernstein, an architecture journalist, demonstrates her design approach and her keen eye for detail. Mori’s works are the result of an in-depth study of the site’s topography, vegetation, and landscape, as pointed out by Edward Eigen, a historian and scholar of European and Anglo-American landscapes in the long nineteenth century. Mori’s designs reflect a sensitive integration of design, materials, and technology with the site. In addition, Sean Kelly, one of Mori’s clients and an art gallery owner, speaks about the process of collaboration with Mori. 18 representative works after 2000, of which 9 are residences, are featured in this issue, alongside site photographs and survey maps.

To Mori, teaching is always in parallel with her practice. Her essay illustrates her career in architectural academia and the several initiatives she introduced while being a faculty member at various prestigious architecture institutions, including the Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD).

a+u 2020:01 
Feature: SuperNormal Architecture in the Netherlands 2010–2020

In this issue, together with guest editor Kirsten Hannema, Chief Editor of the nai010 Yearbook Architecture in the Netherlands, we will take a look at the last 10 years of Dutch architecture discourse. Previously, in our a+u 12:01 issue (Architecture in the Netherlands 2000–2011), which highlighted the country’s architecture scene right after the global financial crisis in 2008, the construction industry faced a slowdown. What we saw then, as “typically” Dutch, has gradually faded. Looking away from the “SuperDutch” stigma, we now see projects combining broader social issues, and taking on new forms of cultural energy. Yet, compared to the superstar generation that preceded them, these architects and their projects often go unnoticed. Therefore, in this issue, 19 projects are selected and placed into 3 themes to introduce a new attitude on today’s architecture in the Netherlands – the “SuperNormal”.

The 3 themes: “Reshaping the Polder” looks into pilot projects that rethink the sustainability of our construction practice. “Tabula Scripta” introduces transformation projects exploring how we rebuild under pre-existing conditions. “After the NAi” presents a body of public projects built during the period after 2012 when the national budget was cut. Each theme is accompanied by an essay written by Bob Witman, Jarrik Ouburg, and Sergio M Figueiredo, respectively. Finally, Floris Alkemade, Chief Government Architect of the Netherlands, shares with us in an interview about his reflections, actions, and predictions on the country’s architectural setting.

Thanks to Eelco Van Welie, Director of nai010 publishers, for his support, and to the authors and the architects who contributed to this issue.

The Khalili Collection of kimonos comprises over 200 garments spanning 300 years of Japanese textile artistry. The form of the T-shaped, straight-seamed, front-wrapping kimono has changed very little over the centuries, yet the collection reveals an astonishing variety of designs. The garments presented here convey the remarkable creativity of designers who produced works of art that would enfold the wearer. The enormous range of patterns were executed in a complex combination of techniques, with some garments requiring the expert skills of a number of different artisans.

Journey to Japan and discover a land of tea and tropics, wabi-sabi and wonder. A place where symbolism abounds and nothing is without purpose. For here you’ll find an ancient and powerful landscape that has shaped history yet still dictates the rhythms of modern life. There are illuminated capitals and pockets of untouched wilderness, both marked by a deep sense of spirituality. Art flourishes, design inspires and others come first. May the light never dim on the Land of the Rising Sun.

This updated reissue contains a host of features from the original issue and a selection of new stories and artworks. 

Made in Japan

Awe-inspiring graphics from Japan today

When a product is labelled as “Made in Japan”, it is often a promise of quality, and the consistent clarity, order and precision of Japanese designs definitely ensures that the reputation is not exaggerated. Known for their minimalist, clean lines, the iconic styles of Japanese designs are admired and imitated all over the world. Truly standing forefront in the establishment of a national design identity, it is the prime example of culture-meets-design, mixing history, traditional art and philosophy into contemporary designs.

 With the spotlight on 40 local creatives behind all sorts of different projects in different fields, Made in Japan spans from brand identities to spatial design to illustrations and more, examining how variety is held together by the influence of a common culture.

Tokyo Stories is a journey through the boulevards and backstreets of Tokyo via recipes both iconic and unexpected. Chef Tim Anderson takes inspiration from the chefs, shopkeepers, and home cooks of Tokyo to showcase both traditional and cutting-edge takes on classic dishes like sushi, ramen, yakitori, and tempura. Also included are dishes that Tokyoites love to eat with origins from abroad, like Japanese interpretations of Korean barbecue, Italian pizza and pasta, French patisserie, and American burgers. Tim tackles his food tour of Tokyo from the ground up, with chapters broken down into: LOWER GROUND FLOOR: Tokyo on the Go (Department Store Basements, Subway Stations, and Convenience Stores); FIRST FLOOR: Tokyo Local (food traditional to Tokyo); SECOND FLOOR: Tokyo National (food traditional to Japan); THIRD FLOOR: Tokyo Global (Japanese food with an international twist) FOURTH FLOOR: Tokyo at Home (Japanese home cooking); and, FIFTH FLOOR: Tokyo Modern (experimental Japanese food found in high-end hotel bars). With Tim’s easy-to-follow recipes, this is make-at-home Japanese food, authentic yet achievable for the home chef – without cutting corners.

The real thrill of eating in Tokyo is in the sense of discovery – of adventurous curiosity rewarded. And that may come in the form of an unexpectedly good convenience store sandwich, an ‘oh my god’ sushi moment, or just the best damn bowl of ramen you’ve ever had. With Tokyo Stories you can explore Tokyo and discover its incredible food without leaving your home kitchen. Featuring over 90 recipes, all set to the backdrop of Tokyo location shots, this is essential for the Japanophile in your life.

Format: Hardback
Pages: 256
Dimensions: 24cm x 19cm
Weight: 1080g
Publisher: Hardie Grant London
Published: 01 March 2019

THE SCENT OF BOYS

Guest Editors
Victor Fan & Earl Jackson

Issue 7 is dedicated to the Scent of Boys. Film does not convey scent directly, though it is embedded in our embodied relationship with the cinematographic image through insinuation, imagination, synesthesia, memory, and physical immersion into the smell of the movie theater. The moment those patches of light and shadow on screen hit our retinas, the cinematographic image is generated as a consciousness: a milieu that we can see, hear, touch, and smell. Moreover, smell stimulates erotic sensations and longing; it gives body to our desire. In this Issue, filmmakers, artists, and scholars ruminate upon scent in Asian cinemas and the way olfactory memories have informed their same-sex desires, creativity, and research. Through words, images, and scents, this Issue seeks to engage the readers in an affective environment, bringing to light this oft-overlooked aspect of our cinematic experience.

Victor Fan is Senior Lecturer in Film Studies, King’s College London, UK. Film Consultant for the Chinese Visual Festival. His articles have appeared in journals including Camera Obscura, Journal of Chinese Cinemas, Screen, and Film History. Author of Cinema Approaching Reality: Locating Chinese Film Theory and Extraterritoriality: Locating Hong Kong Cinema and Media.

Earl Jackson is Prof. Emeritus from UC Santa Cruz, USA. Currently Chair Professor, Asia University, Taiwan. Author of Strategies of Deviance: Studies in Gay Male Representation, and numerous essays on sexuality and Japanese and Korean Cinema. He has worked in the Korean independent film industry as a screenwriter, editor, dramaturg, and actor.

a+u 2019:06 
Diller Scofidio + Renfro

This issue of a+u is our first monograph dedicated to Diller Scofidio + Renfro (DS+R), a New York-based interdisciplinary design studio founded in 1981 by Elizabeth Diller and Ricardo Scofidio.

Despite their initial interest in remaining independent from the architecture profession, DS+R have managed to enter and challenge it on their own terms. Today, with partners Charles Renfro and Benjamin Gilmartin, DS+R’s critical approach to their work remains the same—prioritizing the designing and “democratization” of space for the public.