My first visit to Sengawa was in 1994, 4 years after the government decision to start the construction of the planned urban road in this area. My client (Ms. Yoko Ito) had asked me to plan multiple facilities consisting mainly of private residences for the land that would be divided by the planned road. Enticed by the continuity of land on both sides of the public road, I accepted the commission immediately. I did research on the theme of urban landscape formation and proceeded to the planning stage, but for various reasons this initial plan was brought to a halt.

All those who were involved in this project, including myself, were now half resigned to abandoning the plan. It was Ms. Ito alone, however, who did not give up and continued to pursue her dream. Her commitment to the cause finally moved the private developers and the local government to become involved, which eventually led to the realization of the grand "STREET" project that was in a far more expanded scale than was initially conceived.

Upon walking the dogwood-lined "STREET" that runs the length of over 500 meters, I once again realize that it is finally the individual alone who can shape the city in which she lives. Now that the newborn city has entered the stage of nurturing and growth, it is reassuring to know that she is here to lead us all.

It was such a privilege to have been given the opportunity as an architect to participate in this project.

Tadao Ando
Architect
Professor Emeritus at Tokyo University

In 1962, a plan emerged for the construction of a 16-meter-wide Metropolitan road (the Cho 3-4-17 route) which would run through the Ito family's land that stretched 432 meters from north to south.
The planned road would occupy most of their land, running diagonally across from north to south, and the thin strip of remaining lots shaped in odd triangles and trapezoids would only have low property value.
The Metropolitan government seems to have numerous such plans for new routes that have been waiting for decades for their execution.
Inheritance of the family's assets became an issue in 1989, and in the midst of the bubble economy the bereaved family members were burdened with an astronomical amount of inheritance tax since much of their property was in the form of land. Such was the state of affairs when in 1990 the Metropolitan government finally decided to carry out the planned road construction that would run through their property.

A long preface, but this was how things stood at the point of conception of the "Ando street": an enormous amount of inheritance tax to be paid on the one hand, and the plan for a 16-meter-wide road that will cut through the middle of our land, the very cause of the tax burden, on the other. As for the two remaining 432-meter strips of land divided by the new road, the difficult task was to find a way for cohesive land development that would create an agreeable ambience of the area. Besides the evident huge tax burden, there was the additional burden of sticking to one's high ideals. The hard choice meant not merely treading a thorny path but was more akin to groping for one's way in utter darkness, with the constant fear of making the wrong step and falling straight down into the rocky abyss. It was an incredibly difficult period for the family.

Sometimes we were tempted by the idea of how much easier it would be if we sold the remaining lots indiscriminately to cover for the tax burden. However, we knew that selling each lot piecemeal would be too easy a way out ? had we chosen to do so, we could have done it any time ? and were determined to make the greatest efforts to the very end. Our determination was successfully conveyed to Mr. Tadao Ando, whose deep insight and extraordinary support eventually aroused the Chofu municipal government and private enterprises to become involved in our project. And in the end, the completed street landscape turned out to be far better than what had been originally envisioned.

Quite naturally, this street in Sengawa has now come to be called "Ando street". A street that provides quality living environment for everyone, devoid of highrises, where strollers can feel the changing of the seasons: a luxurious neighborhood has miraculously emerged. I can only thank Mr. Tadao Ando, the Chofu city, the private enterprises and everyone else who have offered understanding and support for this project. It is my sincere wish to continue contributing to the creation of a better city environment.

Lastly, I would like to thank everyone for their help and support in realizing this exhibition.

Yoko Ito Founder of the Tokyo Art Museum