WE ASKED

Socially minded design takes many forms. What’s your favourite example?

“Concentrated communities, which don’t just make for good cities, but are also more emissions- and energy-efficient. In an increasingly urban world, density is crucial.”

For this issue, Azure contributing editor Andrew Braithwaite (who also works as a restaurant reviewer – hence his back to the camera) travelled to Japan to interview architect Kengo Kuma. → Page 68

“Charcoal soap made from Japanese bamboo offcuts. It’s ecologically friendly and also black, which is cool.”

To capture images of Kengo Kuma, Tokyo-based photographer Irwin Wong made his way to the city’s Minato neighbourhood, where the architect’s firm is headquartered. → Page 68

“The mass timber movement, which embraces sustainably harvested wood as a material for tall buildings. I've been reading about Vancouver architect Michael Green’s involvement with it.”

In “The Glass Tower,” Linda Besner examines the discouraging restrictions and prejudices that still hinder female architects, and what it will take to overcome these barriers.

→ Page 94

“The thrilling transformation of the industrial wasteland underneath Toronto's Gardiner Expressway. This summer, I watched farmers sell vegetables from stands and kids pull tricks on skateboards in an area long devoid of human life.”

Toronto writer Katherine Laidlaw discovers how collaboration and multifunctionalism inform the practice of Rotterdam designer Rachel Griffin. → Page 48