Profile of Toyo Ito, 2013 Pritzker Laureate

Profile of Toyo Ito, 2013 Pritzker Laureate Toyo Ito was the sixth Japanese architect to become a Pritzker Laureate. Throughout his long career, Ito has designed residential homes, libraries, theaters, pavilions, stadia, and commercial buildings. Since Japans ruinous tsunamis, Toyo Ito has become an architect-humanitarian known for his Home-for-All initiative. Background: Born: June 1, 1941 in Seoul, Korea to Japanese parents; family moved back to Japan in 1943 Education and Career Highlights: 1965: University of Tokyo, Department of Architecture1965-1969: Kiyonori Kikutake Architects and Associates (Kikutake is associated with the Metabolism Movement)1971: Founded Urban Robot (URBOT), renamed Toyo Ito Associates, Architects in 1979, Tokyo, Japan Selected Works by Ito: 1971: Aluminum House, Tokyo, Japan1976: White U House, Nakano-ku, Tokyo, Japan1984: Silver Hut House, Nakano-ku, Tokyo, Japan (1986 Architecture Institute of Japan award)1986: Tower of Winds, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa, Japan1991: Yatsushiro Municipal Museum, Yatsushiro-shi, Kumamoto, Japan1997: Dome in Odate, Odate-shi, Akita, Japan (Ministry of Education Award; Encouragement of Arts Aware; Japan Art Academy Prize)2000: Sendai Mediatheque, Sendai-shi, Miyagi, Japan (2001 Grand Prize of Good Design Award from Japan Industrial Design Promotion Organization; 2003 Architectural Institute of Japan Prize; 2006 Public Building Award)2002: Serpentine Gallery Pavilion, London, UK2004: Matsumoto Performing Arts Centre, Matsumoto-shi, Nagano, Japan2004: TODS Omotesando, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan2005: Mikimoto Ginza, Tokyo, Japan2006: Meiso no Mori Municipal Funeral Hall, Kakamigahara-shi, Gifu, Japan2007: Tama Art University Library, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo, Japan2008: Za-Koenji Public Theatre, Suginam i-ku, Tokyo, Japan 2009: Main Stadium for the World Games 2009, Kaohsiung, Republic of China (Taiwan)2010: Hotel Porta Fira, Barcelona, Spain2011: Toyo Ito Museum of Architecture, Imabari-shi, Ehime, Japan2012: Yaoko Kawagoe Museum, Saitama, Japan The Taichung Metropolitan Opera House, Taichung City, Republic of China (Taiwan) was begun in 2005 and is under construction. Selected Awards: 2000: Arnold W. Brunner Memorial Prize, American Academy of Arts and Letters2006: Royal Gold Medal, Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)2013: Pritzker Architecture Prize Ito, in His Own Words: Architecture is bound by various social constraints. I have been designing architecture bearing in mind that it would be possible to realize more comfortable spaces if we are freed from all the restrictions even for a little bit. However, when one building is completed, I become painfully aware of my own inadequacy, and it turns into energy to challenge the next project. Probably this process must keep repeating itself in the future. Therefore, I will never fix my architectural style and never be satisfied with my works.- Pritzker Prize Comment About the Home-for-All Project: After the earthquake and tsunami of March 2011, Ito organized a group of architects to develop humane, communal, public spaces for survivors of natural disasters. The Sendai Mediatheque had been partially damaged during the 3.11 earthquake, Ito told Maria Cristina Didero of domus magazine. To the citizens of Sendai, this piece of architecture had been a beloved cultural salon....Even without a specific program, people would nonetheless gather around this place to exchange information and interact with one another....This led me to realize the importance of a small space like the Sendai Mediatheque for people to gather and communicate within disaster areas. This is the starting point of Home-for-All. Every community has its own needs. For Rikuzentakata, an area devastated by the 2011 tsunami, a design based on natural wooden poles with attached modules, similar to ancient pole or pile dwellings, was exhibited at the Japan Pavilion of the 2012 Venice Architecture Biennale. A full-scale prototype was built onsite in early 2013. Itos public service work with the Home-for-All initiative was cited by the 2013 Pritzker Jury as a direct expression of his sense of social responsibility. Learn More About Home-for-All:Toyo Ito: Re-building from disaster, an interview with Maria Cristina Didero in domus online magazine, January 26, 2012Toyo Ito: Home-for-All, an interview with Gonzalo Herrero Delicado, Marà ­a Josà © Marcos in domus online magazine, September 3, 2012Home-for-All, 13th Venice Biennale of Architecture Learn More: Toyo Ito: Forces of Nature by Jessie Turnbull, Princeton Architectural Press, 2012Toyo Ito: Sendai Mediatheque by Gary Hume, Actar, 2002Toyo Ito Works Projects Writings by Andrea Maffei, 2002Toyo Ito: Blurring Architecture 1971-2005 by Ulrich Schneider, 1999Toyo Ito by Toyo Ito, Riken Yamamoto, Dana Buntrock, Taro Igarashi, Phaidon, 2014 Sources: Toyo Ito Associates, Architects, website at www.toyo-ito.co.jp; Biography, the Pritzker Architecture Prize website; Pritzker Prize Media Kit, p. 2 (at www.pritzkerprize.com/sites/default/files/file_fields/field_files_inline/2013-Pritzker-Prize-Media-Kit-Toyo-Ito.pdf)  ©2013 The Hyatt Foundation [websites accessed March 17, 2013]

Change a Column Name in MySQL

Change a Column Name in MySQL If you already created your MySQL database, and you decide after the fact that one of the columns is named incorrectly, you dont need to remove it and add a replacement; you can simply rename it. Renaming a Database Column You rename a column in MySQL using the  ALTER TABLE and CHANGE  commands together to change an existing column. For example, say the  column is currently named Soda, but you decide that Beverage is  a more appropriate title. The column is located on the table entitled Menu. Here is an example of how to change it: ALTER TABLE menu CHANGE soda beverage varchar(10) ; In a generic  form, where you substitute your terms, this is: ALTER TABLE tablename CHANGE oldname newname varchar(10) ; About VARCHAR The VARCHAR(10) in the examples can change to be appropriate for your column. VARCHAR is a character string of variable length. The maximum length- in this example  it is 10- indicates the maximum number of characters you want to store in the column. VARCHAR(25) could store up to 25 characters. Other Uses for ALTER TABLE The ALTER TABLE  command can also be used to add a new column to a table or to remove an entire column and all its data from a table. For example, to add a column use: ALTER TABLE table_nameADD column_name datatype To delete a column, use: ALTER TABLE table_nameDROP COLUMN column_name   You can also make changes to a columns size and type in MySQL.

National Curriculum Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5250 words

National Curriculum - Essay Example This paper approves that the patterns they describe are very characteristic of language maintenance and attrition among immigrant minority language groups worldwide, in English-dominant settings, when factors such as the degree of community integration/isolation, the nature of links between language and religion and the degree of contact with the country of origin are well documented as affecting language maintenance and transmission. This report makes a conclusion that the pupils generally saw little connection between their learning of the home language and formal foreign language learning in school. Just one pupil saw some positive connections between her earlier formal study of English as a foreign language in Iran and her present formal study of a European language, as this meant that formal grammar was not new to her. But as an effective learning method, this pupil personally advocated immersion rather than formal classes. One pupil commented that knowing several languages was a disadvantage, because she mixed them up; the others generally had little to say on the process of language learning, at most contrasting 'picking up' the language of the home with formal study. In the final instance of reported teacher interest, one modern foreign language teacher in School 3 was said to encourage her bilingual pupils, telling them that they should be confident about foreign language learning because of their earlier success. This was doubted however: 'you can't really; it's just the same as an English student you know, like knowing English, but having trouble with French'.

Analysis capital structure of saudi companies Essay

Analysis capital structure of saudi companies - Essay Example The same considerations affect Islamic financial instruments, but with the difference that Islamic finance does not charge interest, thus changing the considerations for which debt is incurred. This paper examined ten Saudi Arabian firms as far as capital structure is concerned, and inquired into the factors that bear upon the decision to avail of certain modes of financing. The methodology made use of financial ratio analysis and qualitative data analysis in arriving at its findings. It concludes that Saudi firms are conservatively capitalized, and that the effects of conventional capital structure theories are not rigidly evident in the choice of capital mix of debt and equity. Acknowledgment Table of Contents Title page 1 Abstract 2 Acknowledgement 3 Table of contents 4 Chapter 1: Introduction 6 1.1 Chapter overview 6 1.2 Background of the research topic 6 1.3 Research objectives and questions 7 1.4 Significance of the research 7 1.5 Chapter summary 9 Chapter 2: Literature review 10 2.1 Chapter overview 10 2.2 Theories 10 2.3 Optimal capital structure literature 14 2.4 Factors influencing capital structure 15 2.5 Arab countries 17 2.6 Chapter summary 29 Chapter 3: Methodology 30 3.1 Chapter overview 30 3.2 Research study and methodology 30 3.3 Subjects of research 31 3.4 Type and source of data 32 3.5 Method of analysis 33 3.6 Variables used in the study 33 3.7 Chapter summary 34 Chapter 4: Results 35 4.1 Chapter overview 35 4.2 Summary of capital structure for Saudi Arabian companies 36 4.3 Summary of EPS, annual dividend, and payout rates of Saudi Arabian firms 37 4.4 Chapter summary 38 Chapter 5: Discussion and analysis 39 5.1 Chapter overview 39 5.2 Description of the capital structure choice of Saudi companies 39 5.3 External influences on capital structure decisions of Saudi companies 49 5.4 Chapter summary 61 Chapter 6: Conclusion 62 6.1 Summary of the dissertation 62 6.2 Conclusion 62 6.3 Directions for future research 65 References Appendices Chapte r 1 Introduction 1.1 Chapter Overview This chapter sets the context of the dissertation. It introduces the problem in the context in which it is significant, in order to provide direction and guidance for the further progress of the dissertation. The statement of the problem and the supporting research questions are provided, to serve as focus for the subsequent discussion. 1.2 Background of the Research Topic The capital structure choice is a long-standing issue of great importance for companies. The mix of funds, which affects the cost and availability of capital, has long been the focus of interest among companies due of its impact on investment decisions. Capital structure is defined as the relative value of debt and equity used to finance projects. The importance of capital structure results from the financing sources and the mix of securities used by firms to finance real investment. Capital structure is also important in Saudi Arabia, especially after the 2006 crisis. Firms n owadays try to finance their capital in better ways. Capital structure theory began with the celebrated paper by Modigliani and Miller (1958). These authors pointed out the trend that must be shown by such theories by showing under what conditions capital structure is irrelevant. Since then, many economists have followed the study with regard to all matters relating to capital structure, and have

Best Celebration I Ever Had Essay Example for Free

Best Celebration I Ever Had Essay Graduation day, boy what a day. Man I’d have to say is that that was by far the most nerve-racking day ever. Up to this point in my lifeline of my history. Many thoughts were racing through my head. All the parties, family showering you with gifts. I couldn’t hardly sleep the night before because of the anixety of not having the choice of never having to go back to school again. Actually it was probably more of a relief for the faculty and staff because, I was the last Beckert running through the hallways. Of course out of the two of us in the family, my brother was a real angel. I was always the one who was made an example of in school and always into mischief all the time. Of course ,what do you expect when you come to school drunk and told to go home. As i got up for graduation day my palms were sweatty all day. I took three showers to keep cool , but then I realized I was only graduating. It wasn’t like I was winning a million dollars or going on the show, â€Å"Deal or No Deal†. When I arrived at the school, we gathered in the cafeteria and waited for the music to start so we could walk, for the last time, out of Tri-Valley High School as a student. I looked out of the corner of my eye and one of my teachers was waving his hand to tell me that I needed to come talk to him real quick. So, ran over and asked,† What’s going on Mr Rotella†. He replied ,noting I need to grace you with some information and you can take any way want to. At first I looked around and thought it was going to be something bad. So I listened. And it was advice on life from a teacher that had been through alot. He said, â€Å"Aaron remember, life is like a roll of tiolet paper†. Iwas dumbfounded by this statement. Then i said,† what do you mean by this Mr.Rotella†. He Replied, â€Å"you can mke your life short and wasteful, or you can make it long and useful†. I started to laugh inside to myself about it. He looked at me and said, â€Å"what is so funny†. I replied, â€Å" I’ve never thought that i would compare my life to roll of tiolet paper†. He looked at me and was telling to think about i t while. So I thought ,as I walked across the front yard of Tri-Vallley High School. It slowly started to sink in and I think it had hit me when I walked across the stage to receive the achievement that was worth the time invested. Right before I got ready to send my cap into the air, it finally dawn on me what he was trying to say. The simile hit me out of nowhere like as if Mike Tyson had blindsided me. Mr.Rotella was simply trying to lead me in the right direction. That’s why he was stating that it was up to me to make the choice. Just like the simile that he was portraying to me in the classroom. Needless to say, I took his advice. Oh yes i took his advice, and let me say I used that roll of toilet paper. But ,he never did state specifically that couldn’t have more than one roll. Meaning that I have had to â€Å"purchase† a few rolls, since the day I walked across the front lawn of Tri-Valley High School. I’m sorry no one can make one roll of toilet paper last ten years. I have though in the last ten years, educated that same thought on a lot of people and just like me they all did the same thing at first. They would giggle and then about twenty minutes later it would hit them. That look of â€Å"wow that’s an extremely deep thought†. My ten year reunion is coming up and I’m sure the rebutle to the teacher will be quite amusing. Hopefully since I have gained a few years. Maybe he will bestow another simile upon me to think about for another few years. At least I took one piece of information out with me when I hit them doors for the very last time.

Smoking Essay -- Tobacco Cigarettes

Smoking Introduction Some governments have banned smoking in all public places. Smoking has been proven to be very dangerous to health. Nonetheless 40 % of the population smokes. Actually I am a non smoker, although I used to be a smoker. Most people try out smoking when they are young ; many youths think smoking is a good grown-up habit. Furthermore many young people begin smoking as an act of rebellion and independence. Young smokers start smoking at their age of 12 or 13 just to get a taste of , what it is like. Some of them find it disgusting and unhealthy and some of them find it cool. Fact’s and Figures Tobacco use kills about 420, 000 smokers each year. According to recent studies 53.000 nonsmokers die each year from second-hand smoking. It is not surprising. Despite having plenty of anti-tobacco commercials on Television, and on every single pack of cigarettes there being an important note, chainsmokers can’t kick their bad habit. In Hungary a packet of cigarettes costs around 2 Euros. The average smoker buys a packet a day which comes to 730 Euros per year. Could you imagine , what you could do with all that money? Government intervention in the workplace Last month while I was reading the newspaper, I came across this article: „Smoking is not allowed in any public places anymore.† I found this ministerial decree, a very good decision, due to there being many smokers in my workplace. There is no assigned smoking area for them. As a consequence I ...

Reasons for the Fall of the Western Roman Empire Essay

There are many pieces of writing containing facts and inferences about the reasons of the fall of the Western Roman Empire. After reading selections from a number of writings on this topic, it is somewhat clear what the main reasons for the fall of the Roman Empire were. The vast majority of the people in those times believed that the old civilization was not worth saving, and that contributed to the fall of the empire, according to Gatzke from what he wrote in a textbook. Another more arguable reason for the fall of the empire is that it was simply too big. Because of it’s vast size, it was difficult to control and maintain order. Christianity was legalized when Constantine converted to it when he was the Roman Emperor. The introduction of Christianity was another heavy blow to the empire, because Christianity discouraged the active virtues of the society at that time, killed off military spirit, and some public and private wealth was consecrated to Charity. The Roman Empire was so vast because of how many battles it fought in and won. When the empire was out for expansion, they gained conquered territory and used the new resources (such as plundered wealth and markets) to fuel the prosperity, but when the empire ceased to expand, economic progress also ceased. The Roman Empire could not afford to slow economic progress however, because the government had very large expenses, most of which were created by the army and the bureaucracy. The army had it’s own internal problems rather than just economic. Another factor that contributes to the fall of the Western Roman Empire is that there was a shortage of children, and foreigners began to pour in to be apart of Rome’s army, soon the Roman empire was composed mostly of Germans. This was internal decay. In an attempt to pay the large expenses owed, the government raised taxes on the people, and this only made matters worse. The effects of high taxation on the people were pretty disastrous, people lost hope and left their responsibilities, tenants fled from farms and businessmen fled from their occupations, private enterprise was crushed, and the state was forced to  take over many kinds of business to keep things going. Welfare was introduced, and although it seems good to society today, back then it made things worse for the empire. People stopped being so self-reliant, and they expected something for doing nothing, basically they were made lazy.