Momoyo Kaijima (Kajima, Momoya; born 1969) Is a Japanese architect known for her work at Atelier Bow-wow, a studio that was founded by herself and Yoshiharu Tsukamoto. Her work has focused mainly on urban residential buildings in Japan.
Early life and education
Kaijima was born in Tokyo in 1969 and was interested in houses from a young age. Kaijima was not influenced by anything in particular, however she had many opportunities to visit different houses.
In 1991 she graduated from the Japan Women's University in the faculty of Domestic science. Kaijima received her post graduate degree from the Tokyo Institute of Technology in 1994 with an engineering degree and continued on to get a graduate and postgraduate degree from the same institution. Kaijima went on to lecture and work at many universities across the world; Harvard, Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, Rice University, Delft University of Technology, Columbia, and E.T.H.Z. She has been an Assistant professor at the University of Tsukuba since 2000 where she conducts research.
Career
Kaijima started working with Yoshiharu Tsukamoto on competitions during their school career, and due to their successes, decided to create an Architectural studio together called Atelier Bow-Wow. Much of Atelier Bow-Wow’s work is centered on residential architecture, specifically in urban areas. These projects have often focused on utilizing the minimal space in urban centers in Kaijima’s home country of Japan. Kaijima believes that design needs to be “for our enjoyment, for our pleasure.”.
Kaijima focuses in her practice as well as her own research on humanist architecture. Some of her important projects include the Mado Building (2006), the House in Shinjuku (2005), the Tower of Winds (1986) and the Sendai Mediatheque (2001).
Kaijima also in conjunction with Tsukamoto have authored multiple books Including Pet Architecture (2002), Graphic Anatomy (2007) and The Architecture of Atelier Bow-Wow: Behaviorology (2010). Pet Architecture focuses on the small interstitial buildings that are common around Tokyo, mirroring her work at Atelier Bow-Wow. In Behaviorology, Kaijima and Tsukamoto look at small homes, and portable projects.
Kaijima has worked on over 150 architectural projects during her career.
List of published works
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Made in Tokyo - 2001
Pet Architecture - 2007
The Architectures of Atelier Bow-Wow - 2010
Commonalities of Architecture -- 2016
List of selected works
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1992 - Kiosk in Ruralscape
1994 - Articulatiors House
1996 - Eight & Half Daikan-yama
1998 - ANI House
1998 - Kusasenri Toilet
1998 - Mini House
1999 - Kawanishi Camping Cottage B
2000 - Moth House
2000 - Eight & Half Atelier
2001 - House Saiko
2002 - Das House
2002 - Kobe Piazza Italia
2005 - Hanamidori
2006 - Nora House
2008 - Sway House
2008 - Bokutei
2010 - Tower Machiya
2014 - Roji Machiya
2016 - Muji Books Ebisu
2017 - Periscope House
2021 - Home Base
2021 - HaHa House
2023 - Chestnut Tree Library
Honors and recognition
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