On March 18, 2008 at the Inaugural Arthur Erickson Lecture in Vancouver, renowned Japanese architect Fumihiko Maki spoke about his architectural design that took into consideration the respect for nature and people's interaction with the building's physical form as well as the spaces that were created consciously and unconsciously. The interflow of view, movement, activities and non-activities from the building's interior to the exterior were exemplified by the various projects that Fumihiko Maki had designed over the years.

Fumihiko Maki emphasized the need to create spaces that allow people to exist in the crowd as well as provide opportunities for moments of solitude so that oneself's simple pleasure for a quiet walk is respected.

Fumihiko Maki's architecture provides sustainability to the environment and people through respect and understanding of the need of the people it serves.  Fumihiko Maki's buildings are humble yet masterly designed and detailed so that they are not intimidating or overwhelming. Fumihiko Maki expressed his pleasure to see how people feel at ease to enjoy the spaces created by his architecture, from the child who happily ran behind her mother at the lawn in front of Mihara Cultural Centre, Japan to the students at Singapore's Republic Polytechnic who gathered and used the spaces in all kinds of different ways.

The title of Fumihiko Maki's new book Nuturing Dreams may provide an understanding of his design philosophy - architecture that nutures dreams for the people it serves. 

The following are some of the projects included in Fumihiko Maki's lecture:

Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo, Japan 2006

Miharo Cultural Centre, Japan 2007

Republic Polytechnic, Singapore 2007

The Delegation of The Ismaili Imamat, Ottawa Canada, 2008

Kaze-no-Oka Crematorium, Nakatsu Japan 1997 

For more information about Fumihaki Maki's work, please visit the website of Maki and Associates, Japan.