About Klein Dytham architecture
Klein Dytham Architecture (KDa) is a highly regarded multidisciplinary design practice known for its dynamic approach to architecture, interiors, public spaces, and installations. Established in Tokyo in the early 1990s by Royal College of Art graduates Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham, KDa has built a reputation for creating innovative and engaging environments that seamlessly blend functionality with bold, colourful and vibrant aesthetics.
Among their most acclaimed projects are Daikanyama T-SITE and Open House in Bangkok, both recognized by the Financial Times as among 20 of the most beautiful bookstores in the world. Their portfolio continues to expand with notable recent works, including Fender’s Flagship Tokyo, an inventive hinoki wood facade for Cartier in Osaka, and a state-of-the-art music gallery for KEF in Toky0.
KDa’s exceptional work has garnered numerous prestigious awards, including the Dezeen Award for Best Small Hotel (2022) and Best Hospitality Space (2022). They won the World Architecture Festival Award for Retail Building of the Year in 2012, and Cultural Building of the Year 2017. Remarkably, they have won the Design for Asia Grand Prize three times, an unprecedented achievement.
In 2003, Mark and Astrid launched PechaKucha Night, a Tokyo-based event for designers to showcase their work, which has since evolved into a global phenomenon with events in over 1,300 cities, inspiring creatives worldwide.
The duo also co-founded DESIGNART, Tokyo’s premier design and art festival, and are deeply committed to community-focused initiatives.
They are active board members of NPO HOME-FOR-ALL, a nonprofit organization dedicated to building community spaces in areas of Japan affected by natural disasters. Currently, they are actively involved in the Noto region, which was struck by a significant earthquake in January of this year.
Their unwavering dedication to design excellence and community-building continues to make a profound impact on the global creative landscape.
クライン ダイサム アーキテクツ (KDa) は、アストリッド・クラインとマーク・ダイサムにより1991年に設立された、建築、インテリア、公共スペース、インスタレーションといった複数の分野のデザインを手掛けるマルチリンガルオフィス。1996年より久山幸成がKDaに主要メンバーとして加わる。代表作に、代官山 T-SITE／蔦屋書店 (2011) や、GINZA PLACE (2016)、Open House (バンコク, 2017) 、星野リゾート リゾナーレ那須 POKO POKO (2020)、カルティエ 心斎橋ブティック (2021) など。American Retail Environment Awards やD&AD Awards、World Architecture Festival Awards、Wallpaper* Design Awards、Design for Asia、Dezeen Awards他受賞多数。
2003年に2人によって考案されたPechaKucha Nightは、デザイナーやクリエイターらが互いに創造性を共有するプレゼンテーションの場として世界各国に広がり、現在では約1,200の都市で開催される世界的なイベントへと成長している。
WHo WE ARE
ASTRID KLEIN
Astrid Klein was born in Italy, schooled in France, educated in Britain and since 1988 has lived and worked in Japan.
After graduated from the Royal College of Art in London, Astrid was drawn to Japan by the simplicity of design, attention to detail and the freedom from traditional constraints. In Tokyo she began working for Toyo Ito and in 1991 she co-founded Klein Dytham architecture with Mark Dytham.
Astrid is a sought after speaker internationally. She has been visiting lecturer at Berkeley University, but now teaches at Musashino University in Tokyo, as well as at Toyo Ito’s Architecture School for Kids. She is a board member of NPO HOME-FOR-ALL, an initiative to build community hubs in earthquake and tsunami affected areas of Japan and a co-founder of DESIGNART, a design and art festival in Tokyo.
イタリアのバレーゼに生まれ。フランス、イギリスで学んだ後、1988年から日本でデザイン活動を始める。
ロンドンのRCA (ロイヤル · カレッジ · オブ · アート) を終了後、精錬されたデザインやディティールとともに、伝統的な制約から解放された自由をあわせ持つ日本に魅了され、伊東豊雄建築設計事務所で働いた後、1991年にマーク・ダイサムと共にクライン ダイサム アーキテクツ (KDa) を設立する。
武蔵野美術大学の客員教授や伊東豊雄が主催する子ども向けの建築塾の講師として教鞭を執る他、バークレー大学をはじめ世界各国でのレクチャーや建築・デザイン関連の国際会議などにも招かれている。東日本大震災をきっかけに発足した被災地のコミュニティ形成を支援するNPO団体、HOME-FOR-ALLの理事と、デザインとアートイベントDESIGNARTの創設者でもある。
MARK DYTHAM
Born in the UK, Mark studied architecture at the University of Newcastle and the Royal College of Art in London. In 1989, he traveled with business partner Astrid Klein to Tokyo, and together they found work with Toyo Ito. They soon established Klein Dytham architecture, working freely across disciplines including architecture, interiors, furniture, installations and events.
Mark is a frequent guest speaker at international design events, has taught at universities in Japan and beyond and in 2000 was awarded an MBE (Member of the British Empire) for services to British Design in Japan.
クライン ダイサム アーキテクツ (KDa) 代表。英国生まれ。ロンドンのロイヤル · カレッジ · オブ · アートで建築を学び来日。伊東豊雄建築設計事務所を経て1991年にアストリッド クラインと共に、建築、インテリア、家具デザイン、インスタレーション、イベントなど多岐にわたる分野で革新的な活動を行うKDaを設立。
国際的なデザインイベントで多数公演を行うほか、国内外の大学で教鞭をとっている。2000年には、日本での活動が英国のデザイン文化の普及に寄与したと評価され、名誉大英勲章 (MBE) の称号を英国女王より授与される。
yukinari hisayama
A licensed architect and interior designer with a B.Arch. from Yokohama National University, Hisayama has been with Klein Dytham architecture since 1996. His deep understanding of the KDa approach complements his broad experience in all phases of the design process and extensive knowledge of materials and construction. He brings a strong artistic sensibility to his position as the most senior member of KDa. He has been directly or indirectly involved in nearly all of our projects and was the person who named PechaKucha - PechaKucha!!
クライン ダイサム アーキテクツ (KDa) シニアアーキテクト
横浜国立大学工学部建設学士号取得。兵庫県赤穂市生まれ。1996年よりKDaに所属。KDaの設計アプローチに対する深い理解が、プロセス全域に渡る豊富な経験と素材や施工に関する幅広い専門知識をきわ立たせる。アーティスティックな感性を投入しながら作品に向き合い、建築・内装設計全体をまとめる中枢的存在。KDaの手掛けるほぼ全てのプロジェクトに携わっており、主な作品にはDAIKANYAMA T-SITE、GINZA PLACE、星野リゾート リゾナーレの建築プロジェクトなど。関東学院大学と桑沢デザイン研究所で非常勤講師として教鞭をとる。
CONTACT US
Klein Dytham architecture
Central Daikanyama, 3rd Floor
14-23 Daikanyamacho
Shibuya
Tokyo 150-0034
For project inquiries: info@klein-dytham.com
For press inquiries: press@klein-dytham.com
T +81 3 5795 2277