Architect Toyo Ito urges developing Asian cities to remember their roots
Winner of 'architecture's Nobel' says culture and history must not be lost as he laments missing out on designing M+ museum
Asian cities should not forget their history and cultural roots as they race to develop, world famous architect Toyo Ito said on a visit to Hong Kong.
Ito was one of six finalists in the design competition for the M+ museum of visual culture, one of the first buildings to take shape at the West Kowloon Cultural District. But his vision of an urban garden lost out to the sleek, futuristic vision of Herzog & de Meuron's inverted-T design when the winner was announced in June.
"M+ was a very interesting project because in future it will be the gathering place for anyone ranging from professionals to artists and local visitors who share the same interest in arts and culture," Ito said during last week's Business of Design week, at which he was a keynote speaker.
Ito said he wanted to create something that went beyond today's understanding of what a museum was.
"However, during the final round of interviews and presentations, there were criticisms and questions over how artworks should be displayed," Ito said.