Rizzoli Archives - identity

The River that Shaped a Philosophy

Vaarunya Bhalla — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 05:47:44 +0000

Tokyo-born architect Koichi Takada’s childhood in the 1970s unfolded along the banks of the Tama River, where he witnessed nature gradually give way to the encroaching city. That early awareness of loss and connection would come to shape his work and the practice he would later establish.

In a recent book published by Rizzoli, Koichi Takada: Naturalizing Architecture, we find a curated collection of his recent projects. Featuring photography of buildings and interiors alongside diagrams and images of the natural forms that inspire them, the book guides readers through Takada’s global body of work. A theme that emerges is of the interconnectedness of people with the environment; projects include Upper House in Brisbane, the Palm Frond Retreat at Balmoral Beach, the award-winning Solar Trees Marketplace in Shanghai and, closer to us, Mamsha Palm on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi.

Across these works, Takada’s distinctive language emerges: a fusion of Japanese restraint with a willingness to challenge convention. Through flowing forms, layered structures, and gentle interplay of light, Takada’s work encourages pause and reflection, showing nature as a living presence within the city. With text by architectural writer Philip Jodidio, a foreword by Béatrice Grenier, Director of Curatorial Affairs at Fondation Cartier, and an afterword by Takada himself, the book unfolds over 240 pages of photography, diagrams, and reflection. Naturalizing Architecture marks a new stage in Takada’s work and reinforces his position as one of contemporary architecture’s most thoughtful and original voices. rizzolibookstore.com

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id library: Contemporary Living by McClean Design

Aneesha Rai — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 05:05:07 +0000

Hollywood’s most sought-after architectural firm, McClean Design, has become synonymous with the quintessential California lifestyle, where open spaces, natural light and breathtaking vistas define modern luxury. In Contemporary Living by McClean Design, Paul McClean and Michael Webb present fifteen of the firm’s most striking residences completed over the past five years, showcasing an impeccable blend of rigorous design, elegance and liveability.

From a remodelled classical mansion in San Francisco to serene waterfront retreats and ethereal homes that appear to hover above Los Angeles, each project is a masterclass in seamless indoor-outdoor living. Known for its signature approach to maximising views, McClean Design crafts sanctuaries that dissolve the boundaries between architecture and nature. Expansive glass walls, refined materials and a restrained yet warm aesthetic characterise these spaces, creating homes that are both dramatic and deeply inviting.

Founded in 2000, McClean Design has remained committed to a philosophy of minimalism that enhances, rather than restricts, the experience of a home. The firm’s signature use of wood strip flooring, bespoke cabinetry and natural stone infuses warmth into the spare, modernist framework, while neutral-toned soft furnishings complement the relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere. The book also includes architectural floor plans and insightful essays, offering an in-depth look into the themes that shape the studio’s work. With its striking imagery and thoughtful narratives, the book focuses on the enduring appeal of contemporary architecture that is both bold and deeply personal. www.rizzoliusa.com

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‘The Bisazza Foundation: Design. Architecture. Photography’ by Ian Phillips

Penny McCormick — Sun, 26 Jan 2020 10:33:58 +0000

The Bisazza Foundation is an 8000-square metre private, non-profit institution with a Permanent Collection that reflects the Bisazza family’s passion for art.

Once a factory for glass mosaics, the space has been converted to 21 rooms housing installations by designers like Jaime Hayon, Arik Levy, Richard Meier, Alessandro Mendini, Fabio Novembre, Ettore Sottsass, Patricia Urquiola, Marcel Wanders; and artists Sandro Chia and Mimmo Paladino.

As author Ian Philips attests, “If Lewis Carroll’s quintessential Victorian heroine Alice came to life, pressed fast-forward and found herself slipping down a 21st-century rabbit hole, she’d no doubt feel quite at home if [her journey] culminated at the Bisazza Foundation…

“Sitting here she’d find a monumental multi-coloured chair that stands 3.2 metres high, a shimmering silver chandelier covered with thousands of mosaic tesserae weighing some 850 kilos, and a wonderfully wacky mosaic-clad car.”

The book concludes with ‘Architectural Photography’, showcasing the works of Berenice Abbott, Eugène Atget, Gabriele Basilico, Roland Fischer, Candida Höfer, Julius Shulman and Hiroshi Sugimoto.

“I believe the allure of this place lies in the spectacular oversizing of the works on display and the vaguely fairy-tale atmosphere that surrounds them,” says Rossella Bisazza, Vice President of the Bisazza Foundation.

‘The Bisazza Foundation: Design. Architecture. Photography’ by Ian Phillips
With contributions by Jonas Tebib and Filippo Maggia, published by Rizzoli

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