KAAD
(Kogawa Architecture Art Design)
KAAD is a London-based design studio since 2000. The practice philosophy is to transcend the boundaries between architecture, art and design to engender a poetic understanding of creativity. We believe that going beyond mere ‘looking’ is crucial for engaging with reality. Through creative observation of any medium, we extend our horizon beyond what can be seen in the imagination, and are able to share what we have seen with others.
KAAD’s principal, Toshiya Kogawa, is an architect educated in
Japan and the UK. Prior to moving to London, Mr Kogawa qualified at Utsunomiya University (1998) and worked for a private practice where he contributed to several public projects.
From 2000 to 2002, he completed a Postgraduate Diploma in
Architecture at the University of East London School of
Architecture. As part of these studies, he developed a series of projects based on cultural specificity and difference, based in part on his experiences in Japan and the UK, and also developed through a number of field trips – most notably to
Mexico City, northern India, and Amsterdam.
In parallel with work developing KAAD, since 2003 Mr Kogawa has been employed at Dixon Jones Architects in London, contributing to a number of public arts projects. For this practice he is currently part of a team working on a new, largescale multi-use building that includes, amongst other facilities, a second chamber concert hall for London.
Currently, KAAD is concentrating on competition entries for public art and architecture schemes that allow us to explore culture and to pursue new ideas. We seek to present our thoughts and ideas to change the thoughts and ideas of others.
We believe that there are more beautiful ways of understanding than those in currency in contemporary society.