#Japan #Tokyo #SFA Japan #Toyaki Kamimoto #Architectural Renewal

Exploring the Future of Architectural Renewal

On May 28, 2025, SFA Japan will host a captivating talk event featuring renowned architect Toyaki Kamimoto. The event aims to delve into the exploration of more sustainable and lasting architecture, promoting a transformative shift in the way we approach building renovation and conservation.

Leading the Rebirth Architecture Research Institute, Kamimoto champions the ideology of shifting from a culture of demolition and replacement to one that emphasizes preservation and renewal. With a remarkable portfolio that includes large-scale renovations and conversions, Kamimoto blends functional modernity with historical integrity. His work exemplifies this ethos, winning the BELCA Award for Best Renovation with the "Togo Memorial Museum of History", where he meticulously reinforced the 1968 RC structure while enhancing its connections and adding terraces, creating a contemporary space that meets today's aesthetic and functional needs.

Another notable project is the "Minagawa Village" in Omotesando, which received the Newcomer’s Award from the Japan Architectural Institute in 2020. This endeavor revitalized a collection of wooden buildings from 1957 that had undergone numerous expansions, uniting them with a garden to serve multiple functions including cafe, residential, and office space. Today, the Rebirth Architecture Research Institute operates from the very village it helped rejuvenate.

One of the prominent challenges in such complex renovations is the routing of necessary plumbing systems. Kamimoto has previously utilized SFA’s innovative wastewater pressure pumps in his projects, and during the talk, he will share deeper technical discussions outlining how architectural renewal can effectively integrate advanced plumbing solutions.

The event will conclude with an opportunity for participant networking, and attendees can experience the physical wastewater pumps firsthand, encouraging active engagement and discussions.

Event Details

• - Date: May 28, 2025 (Wednesday)
• - Venue Open: 18:00
• - Talk Duration: 18:30 - 20:00
• - Social Gathering: 20:00 - 21:00 (includes light food and drinks)

Venue: K&K Studio (Kurokawa Masayuki Architectural Design Office)
Address: 4F, Izumi Nishi Azabu Building, 4-3-11 Nishi Azabu, Minato, Tokyo
Access: 8-minute walk from Hiroo Station, 13-minute walk from Nogizaka Station
Contact on the Day: 080-9677-1747 (SFA Japan, Sales Department, Yamane Nobuhito)

Format: In-person participation
Entry Fee: Free (limited to architects and licensed architects)
How to Apply: Sign up via the Peatix page by May 26, 23:00.
Capacity: 40 participants (first-come-first-served for architects)

Featured Speakers

Toyaki Kamimoto (Architect / Head of Rebirth Architecture Research Institute)
Born in 1981 in Oita Prefecture, Kamimoto graduated from Kinki University’s Kyushu Faculty of Engineering and worked for Aoki Shigeru Architecture Studio for eight years. In 2012, he established Toyaki Kamimoto Architectural Design Office and has been involved in the revival of the University of Tokyo’s library for the first time in almost a century as a specially appointed researcher at the Graduate School of Engineering. In 2015, he founded the Rebirth Architecture Research Institute and began operations at Minagawa Village in 2018. Recently, he has been appointed as an advisor for the Ministry of Education’s Co-SHA Platform for school co-creation.

In his own words, "The average lifespan of buildings in Japan is about 30 years, which is significantly shorter compared to Western countries. This is primarily due to concerns about aging, seismic resistance, and their inability to adapt to modern needs. However, many older buildings still possess robust structures that can be renewed. At the Rebirth Architecture Research Institute, we aim to enhance the profitability and real estate value of existing buildings through the method of architectural renewal while also working on area regeneration that connects the building with its surrounding community."

Moderator

Akira Kurokawa (Architect / IEDIA / Sho Kurokawa Architects)
Born in 1987 in Tokyo, Kurokawa is a prominent architect who has worked at Keio University and design firms in Brussels. He established Sho Kurokawa Architects in 2014 after graduating from the Mendrisio Academy of Architecture in Switzerland. Currently, he serves as Chief Experience Officer at IEDIA, overseeing design aspects that enrich stakeholders' overall experience and is also a part-time lecturer at Keio University.

About SFA Japan

Founded in 2011, SFA Japan is the Japanese subsidiary of the French sanitary equipment manufacturer SFA Group. The company specializes in the sales of wastewater pressure pumps for residential and commercial properties, as well as providing after-sales support. SFA’s products allow for effective wastewater disposal with minimal construction, making them suitable for confined spaces, thereby increasing the flexibility in planning and adding water-related facilities during both new constructions and renovations.