Toyota's Geological Design Initiative Showcased at DESIGNART TOKYO 2025

Toyota to Showcase Geological Design at DESIGNART TOKYO 2025

Toyota Motor Corporation, known for its innovative approach in the automotive industry, is set to unveil its ambitious initiative, "Geological Design," at Japan's largest design and art festival, DESIGNART TOKYO 2025. This festival will take place from October 31 to November 3 at the "seeen" gallery in Omotesando, Tokyo. The exhibition, titled "The Memory of Cars II: Transformation of Materials and Scenery," invites visitors to explore the cycle of a car's life from inception to disposal while reflecting on the materials that comprise it.

What is Geological Design?

Led by Koichi Ohgaku, head of Toyota's structural design studio, the Geological Design initiative aims to reduce environmental impact and achieve complete resource circularity. It introduces a new dimension to traditional car manufacturing—sustainability. By integrating economic and technical considerations with an environmental perspective, Toyota strives to create products that leave no waste behind. This method involves a rethinking of not only how cars are produced but also how they are disposed of, ensuring that even materials deemed unrecyclable can be upcycled through collaborations with local artisans and communities.

Exploring the Exhibition

The exhibit will feature two floors. The first floor will illustrate the volume of Earth's resources required to manufacture a car and the complexity of returning man-made vehicles back to the Earth. It aims to engage visitors with facts and questions about car life cycles. Meanwhile, the basement will revisit last year’s exploration of “The Memory of Cars” through glass derived from automobiles. These displays will encapsulate various metals and "slag," the byproducts of recycling processes, revealing the multifaceted transformations of materials. Through these artistic pieces, attendees will glimpse the intriguing scenery tied to the notion of "car memory" and hear profound questions and practices concerning Geological Design.

Visitors will have the opportunity to engage with the exhibits up close, with some pieces available for tactile interaction. Furthermore, the exhibition will feature live streaming sessions on social media, where key figures, including Koichi Ohgaku and notable collaborators, will discuss their inspirations, messages, and experiences behind the artwork.

Event Details

- Exhibition Dates: October 31 – November 3, 2025
- Opening Hours: 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
- Location: seeen, 4-13-12 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo
- Admission: Free, no registration required
- Special Website: DESIGNART TOKYO 2025

Online Discussion Sessions

1. October 31, 2025, at 8:00 PM: Featuring Koichi Ohgaku and Satoshi Yoshizumi, representative of TAKT PROJECT Inc.
- Instagram Live
2. November 1, 2025, at 8:00 PM: Featuring Koichi Ohgaku and Takayuki Ohta from SENTE Co., Ltd., focusing on metal glass artwork.
- Instagram Live

About DESIGNART TOKYO

DESIGNART TOKYO was established in 2017 under the concept "INTO THE EMOTIONS - A Gateway to Inspiration." It gathers talents from diverse fields such as interior design, art, and technology, curating various displays across Tokyo's rich cultural landscape.
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Recognitions

The Geological Design initiative has been awarded the GOOD DESIGN AWARD 2024 BEST100, acknowledging Toyota's commitment to sustainable manufacturing and collaboration with traditional crafts and arts to promote a circular economy.