Kazuhide Takahama

In Italy for the setting up of the Japanese pavilion at XI Triennale in Milan, in 1957 architect Kazuhide Takahama met Dino Gavina. A turning point in his career and the beginning of a lifelong collaboration.

Kazuhide Takahama (1930 – 2010) was born on the Japanese island Kyushu. He graduated in architecture in 1953 from Tokyo Institute of Technology.

When he was 27 years old he became lecturer at the same University and he got his first job as a designer: he was in charge for the setting up of the Japanese pavilion for the XI Triennale in Milan in 1957. On that occasion he met Dino Gavina. This first meeting marked a turning point in his career and the beginning of a fruitful collaboration and deep friendship. Before going back to Japan, Kazuhide Takahama designed for Gavina the Naeko sofa (Takahama’s first design produced in series and then marketed). During his stay in Japan he was professor at the University and curator of architectural and design projects, but he kept anyway in touch with Gavina, who finally convinced him to move to Italy. In 1963 he arrived in Italy together with his wife Naeko and their first daughter Kaori and settled in Bologna.

Many are the collaboration with Italian design companies such as: Gavina, Simon, Paradisoterrestre, B&B, Sirrah (then incorporated by Guzzini) just to name a few. His professional activity did not limit to furniture and lighting design: he designed indoor and outdoor spaces and followed the renovation of private residences and public works. Among them the facade and vip lounge of Guglielmo Marconi Airport and the bus stop canopies in Bologna.