21_21 is a new design museum near roppongi, and tokyo ‘midtown’ new development. the building is designed to be dramatic whilst not overwhelming the surrounding park-scape. it is part-buried in the ground. what can be seen from the outside is essentially the roof. this, together with the un-dressed concrete is the signature of master of brutal minimalism; tadao ando.

on this day, as part of tokyo’s 2009 design week, there was a joint presentation from leading japanese designer naoto fukasawa, and dutch designer, and teacher at the RCA, jurgen bey. unfortunately, whether due to the appallingly reflective acoustics in the stairwell where the presentation was held, or in the unfathomably gnomic pronouncements of the two great men, little of what was said could be understood. this didn’t seem to trouble the exhibition’s organisers, the two designers, or their adoring audience in any way. a rather depressing and shallow be-there-to-be seen admiration fest. this is a shame, both designers have produced work which manages to be both provocative, and practical. i was expressly forbidden to take pictures, but i managed to include one here.