Von Jour Caux architecture
Von Jour Caux (Toshiro Tanaka)
Born: January 27th, 1934
Studied architecture at Waseda University where he took classes of Kenji Imai who introduced Antoni Gaudi's works to Japan. (Imai designed the No. 4 Exit at Asakusa Station, the oldest subway station in Japan)
Opened an architecture firm after graduation
Later studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago
In 1974, he began using his artist name, Von Jour Caux
Von Jour Caux is often called the "Japanese Gaudi". His works all have a distinctive style, some saying the design looks like a love hotel. He often let other artists and craftsman work on his projects, and gave them freedom to do as they pleased.
The buildings introduced here are in western Tokyo near Shinjuku or Ikebukuro. The two buildings in Daitabashi and Ikebukuro are very close to each other, so it is definitely possible to visit a few in several hours. Most of these buildings are residential so the inside would be completely off-limits though a few have retail space on the street level.
ESPERANZA BUILDING (1977, Nishi-Azabu)
WASEDA EL DORADO (1985, Near Waseda University)
HIRAKI: Philosopher's Stone (1979, Ikebukuro)
ROYAL VESSEL (1990, Ikebukuro)
MIND WA (1992, Daitabashi)
LA PORTA IZUMI (1989, Daitabashi)
HAPPENING TOWER (Akebonobashi)
