TNA

Makoto Takei and Chie Nabeshima founded the TNA architects’ office in 2004 in Tokyo. Their work is first and foremost known for their individual homes, resulting in a search for lightness and uncompromising perfection. Paradoxically, the most prominent of their constructions occupy isolated and wild places, while the office works in the largest metropolis of the world, Tokyo. One asks the following question: does this constant search for quietness and perfection in architecture rise from a reaction to the city’s turmoil and heterogeneity? “When one reflects on the true meaning of architecture, why it exists, one thinks of the influences emitted by a construction on its context. We named this “The radiation of the building”, this “architectural something” is not something only about the sensitive or the look. An architect does not create solely from his own desires, his architecture is always influenced by external elements. It is in this perspective that we seek a potential in the ability of architecture to undergo the rules of the surrounding environment. If we simplify our architectural thinking, we could summarize it to a Chinese fan. What is remarkable in the Chinese fan is that it contains many other functions than that of fanning or bending. According to different periods, its uses varied. For example, it was used as a game by throwing it in the air or it was used to hit with, etc. While initially the functions of the Chinese fan were restricted to a specific use, other uses came along. I find that very rewarding. We hope to recreate this in our architecture.”.