The 12th edition of Prada Mode in Osaka stands as a striking testament to this interdisciplinary synergy. Hosting a unique exhibition in Umekita Park, Osaka, Prada Mode Osaka invites audiences to step into a narrative that spans decades of innovative design and cultural transformation, a narrative deeply imbued with the visionary ethos of SANAA, co-founded by the esteemed Kazuyo Sejima.
SANAA-designed pavilion that transcends the conventional role of an architectural installation. This carefully curated structure serves as an exhibition space as well as a living symbol of the longstanding dialogue between built form and the environments it inhabits. Visitors encounter a refined interplay of soft lines and open spaces, a design language that has become synonymous with SANAA’s work, reflecting both modern minimalism and a sensitivity to the underlying materiality of place.
The exhibition is intimately connected to the enduring legacy of the Inujima Project, which has reshaped the narrative of a small island in Japan’s Seto Inland Sea. Once characterized by its abandoned copper refinery and weathered quarries, Inujima has been reimagined as a cultural and architectural canvas, a site where revitalization meets reflection.
The transformation began in 2008 when the Fukutake Foundation, in collaboration with the Benesse Art Site Naoshima, commissioned Kazuyo Sejima to reinterpret the island’s heritage. Over the subsequent years, industrial relics gave way to art spaces, communal gardens, and intimate installations that invited local engagement. Today, a permanent pavilion, donated by Prada and designed by Kazuyo Sejima & Associates, is located in the Inujima Life Garden.
Prada Mode Osaka thus becomes a dual narrative. In one dimension lies the urban experience of Osaka, a bustling, dynamic metropolis ripe with modern energy, and in the other, the reflective, almost meditative transformation of Inujima. The pavilion in Umekita Park is a portal that transports visitors from the rapid pace of city life to a quieter, more reflective space shaped by decades of careful intervention and layered history. With an exhibition that displays intricate models, digital videos, and artifacts drawn from the Inujima Project, the installation encapsulates the very essence of architectural reinvention.
During the week-long event, from its private members’ preview on June 7, 2025, to the public unveiling starting June 8, the space buzzed with a series of carefully curated experiences.
Renowned architects like Tadao Ando, Liu Jiakun, and Ryue Nishizawa engaged in thought-provoking discussions about how people shape cities. Attendees explored these ideas in a setting that was both visually striking and intellectually engaging.
Complementing the analytical spirit of these dialogues were a host of immersive activities that underscored the multifaceted nature of this event. A workshop led by traditional craft artist Tomoko Kimata introduced the ancient Japanese art of Tsumami-Zaiku, a fabric folding craft that creates intricate floral patterns. In an era where traditional arts often blend with contemporary design, this workshop highlighted the balance of continuity and innovation inherent to Japanese culture, echoing the spirit of the Inujima Project.
Concurrently, live musical performances curated by Craig Richards, film screenings by contemporary architectural filmmakers, and sound installations by composer Keiichiro Shibuya enriched the sensory experience, inviting guests to reconsider architecture as a multisensory encounter.
Prada Mode Osaka is part of a broader series that has seen installations in diverse global cities such as Miami, Paris, Shanghai, Moscow, Dubai, Tokyo, and Abu Dhabi. Yet, the Osaka edition carries a distinct depth of emotion, leaving a lasting impression through its thoughtful design and cultural significance. Here, the narrative of transformation is underscored by SANAA’s legacy. SANAA’s designs, from the 21st Century Museum in Kanazawa to the Rolex Learning Center, blend creativity and functionality in bold new ways.
SANAA’s approach to design is characterized by a keen sensitivity to context. In the case of the Inujima Project, Sejima and her team create a building that nurtures a slowly evolving environment where architecture becomes part of the landscape’s fabric.
Vacant factories and abandoned quarries were re-envisioned as dynamic spaces for social and cultural interchange. This methodology, rooted in a belief that built environments must continuously adapt to the rhythms of everyday life, is at the core of the pavilion in both Inujima and Osaka. The installation acts as a living archive, a place where architectural models, historical narratives, and future visions converge.
The dialogue between the serene Inujima and the urban vibrancy of Osaka also illustrates another powerful narrative: the interplay between isolation and connectivity. Inujima, once a remote island, has been transformed into a thriving artistic community, while Osaka, with its energetic pulse and modern infrastructure, serves as the gateway to this transformative journey. By situating the exhibition in Osaka, Prada and SANAA create a dialogue between past and contemporary urbanity, inviting visitors to reflect on how cultural heritage and modern design can mutually inform and transform one another.
In its entirety, Prada Mode Osaka and the Inujima Project are emblematic of an architectural philosophy that views building as an evolving conversation rather than a static achievement. Through meticulous design, community engagement, and an unyielding commitment to cultural continuity, SANAA’s work invites us all to rethink how we inhabit space.
Images courtesy of Prada.
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