TORAFU ARCHITECTS

Founded in 2004 by Koichi Suzuno and Shinya Kamuro, TORAFU ARCHITECTS employs a working approach based on architectural thinking. Works by the duo include a diverse range of products, from architectural design to interior design for shops, exhibition space design, product design, spatial installations and film making.

They have received many prizes including the Design for Asia (DFA) Grand Award for the “TEMPLATE IN CLASKA” in 2005, and the Grand Prize of the Elita Design Awards 2011 with “Light Loom (Milano Salone 2011)”. The airvase book and TORAFU ARCHITECTS Ideas + Process 2004-2011 were published in 2011.

Biography

Koichi Suzuno, Founder

1973 Born in Kanagawa Prefecture

1996 Graduated from Department of Architecture, Science University of Tokyo

1998 Completed the Master Course of Architecture, Yokohama National University

1998-2001 Worked at Coelacanth K&H

2001-2002 Collaborated with NMBW Architecture Studio / Melbourne

2002-2003 Worked at Kerstin Thompson Architects / Melbourne

2004.2- Founded TORAFU ARCHITECTS with Shinya Kamuro

2005-2008 Lecturer at Tokyo University of Science

2008- Lecturer at Showa Women's University

2010- Lecturer at Kyoritsu Women's University

2010- Lecturer at Musashino Art University

Shinya Kamuro, Founder

1974 Born in Shimane Prefecture

1997 Graduated from Department of Architecture, School of Science & Technology,Meiji University

1999 Completed the Master Course of Architecture, Meiji University

2000-2003 Worked at Jun Aoki & Associates

2004.2- Founded TORAFU ARCHITECTS with Koichi Suzuno

2008- Lecturer at Showa Women's University

TORAFU ARCHITECTS Ideas + Process 2004-2011 (published 2011)

airvase book (published 2011,)

TORAFU ARCHITECTS 2004-2005 (published 2006)

2011

Elita Design Awards 2011, Grand Prize ( Light Loom Canon Milano Salone 2011)

Design Plus Award (airvase)

2009

Good Design Award (Y150 NISSAN PAVILLION)

2008:

COMMERCIAL SPACE AWARD 2007

Grand Prize（BOOLEAN TOKYO UNIVERSITY TETSUMON CAFE)

The Best Debutant of the year 2008

2007

3rd SAKAIRIB DESIGN COMPETITION

Silver Award (TORANOANA AKIHABARA)

Bronze Award (SPINNING OBJECTS)

Honorable mention (ZELDA)

JCD DESIGN AWARD 2007

Gold Award（BOOLEAN TOKYO UNIVERSITY TETSUMON CAFE)

Silver Award（NIKE 1LOVE）

2006

JCD DESIGN AWARD 2006

BEST100 (UDS SHANGHAI OFFICE)

INTERIOR PLANNING AWARD 2006

Selected Work (TEMPLATE IN CLASKA)

2005

DESIGN FOR ASIA AWARD 2005

Design For Asia Award (TEMPLATE IN CLASKA)

JCD DESIGN AWARD 2005

Commercial Space Design Gold Award（TABLE ON THE ROOF）

Commercial Space Design Gold Award（SPINNING OBJECTS）

Commercial Space Design Selected Work (TEMPLATE IN CLASKA)

39th SDA AWARD

Sign Design Silver Award (TEMPLATE IN CLASKA)

Sign Design Selected Work (SPINNING OBJECTS)

REFORM & RENEWAL DESIGN AWARD 2005

Gold Award (TEMPLATE IN CLASKA)

Selected Designer Award (SPINNING OBJECTS)

Honorable mention (TABLE ON THE ROOF）

2011

“torafu architects / airvase”, Haaz Art & Design Gallery, Istanbul, Turkey

2010

“kitchen blocks” in more trees exhibition ‘Feeling the Forest for 12 days’, Axis Gallery, Tokyo

“airvase” in Spiral Market Limited Selection, Spiral Gallery, Tokyo

2009

“perhonen shelf”, “hanger stool” and “hammock chair” in "minä perhonen + torafu new/study, in Claska Gallery & Shop ‘do’, Tokyo

2007

“Life and Lighting”, ENDO Lighting Aoyama showroom