Sony Computer Science Laboratories Unveils Tomonami for KKAA, Expanding the Frontiers of Creativity in Architecture
Sony Computer Science Laboratories, led by President and CEO Hiroaki Kitano, has announced the development of Tomonami for KKAA, a new creativity acceleration system created in collaboration with the renowned architectural firm Kengo Kuma and Associates (KKAA). This initiative marks the third major project under Sony CSL’s Tomonami program, a research-driven effort aimed at enhancing creative processes across diverse artistic and professional domains.
Tomonami for KKAA represents a significant step forward in exploring how technology can deepen dialogue among creators and transform the way ideas are conceived, shared, and realized—particularly within the complex and collaborative field of architecture. The system will be showcased through a solo exhibition by architect Kengo Kuma, featuring works developed using Tomonami for KKAA, at the New Art Museum Singapore starting January 24.
The Vision Behind Tomonami: Accelerating Creativity Through Dialogue
The concept of Tomonami was conceived by Sony CSL researcher Alexis André as part of his long-term research into creativity acceleration. His work focuses on building systems that not only support creative expression but also actively expand the boundaries of imagination by enabling new forms of interaction between humans and technology.
In previous projects, André collaborated closely with ceramic artist Yukio Yoshita and yuzen textile artist Ken Yotsui. Through these partnerships, he developed unique digital systems that served as creative companions—tools that did not replace artistic intuition but amplified it by offering unexpected possibilities and alternative perspectives.
With Tomonami for KKAA, the scope of the project expanded beyond individual artists to a collective of architects. This shift introduced a new challenge: how to design a system that facilitates dialogue not only between humans and technology, but also among multiple creators with diverse sensibilities, experiences, and design philosophies.
Architecture as a Language of Sensation
At Kengo Kuma and Associates, architecture is not merely a technical discipline but a deeply sensory and linguistic practice. From the earliest stages of design, KKAA architects often use Japanese onomatopoeic expressions to describe qualities such as texture, rhythm, scale, and movement. Words like “Para Para,” suggesting rhythmic porosity, or “Tsun Tsun,” evoking an outward thrust, are not just poetic metaphors—they function as shared conceptual tools that help architects communicate subtle spatial intentions.
These expressions capture nuances that conventional architectural terminology often fails to convey. They bridge the gap between abstract design concepts and embodied human experience, enabling architects to articulate intuitive ideas in a form that others can understand and respond to.
Recognizing the potential of this linguistic practice, Alexis André integrated onomatopoeia into the core structure of Tomonami for KKAA. By translating these expressive words into adjustable parameters within a digital interface, he created an exploratory environment where architects could experiment with design ideas in a dynamic and interactive way.
Tomonami for KKAA: A New Creative Interface
At the heart of Tomonami for KKAA lies an original framework developed by André. The system transforms onomatopoeic expressions into computational variables that can be manipulated in real time. Architects interact with these parameters to explore a vast design space—one that evolves continuously in response to their inputs.
Instead of following a linear design process, architects using Tomonami engage in a cyclical exploration of possibilities. They adjust parameters, observe the resulting transformations, reflect on the outcomes, and refine their ideas. This iterative process accelerates the traditional cycle of trial and error, allowing designers to generate and evaluate ideas more rapidly than ever before.
Crucially, Tomonami does not dictate design solutions. Rather, it acts as a catalyst for imagination. The system proposes unexpected forms and spatial configurations, prompting architects to reconsider assumptions and discover possibilities that might otherwise remain hidden. Ultimately, it is the architects’ artistic sensibilities, experience, and judgment that determine which ideas are pursued and developed further.
Enhancing Collaboration Through Shared Visual Language
One of the most distinctive features of Tomonami for KKAA is its ability to support dialogue among multiple creators. In architectural practice, design intentions are often intuitive, ambiguous, and difficult to articulate. Traditional communication methods—drawings, models, and verbal explanations—can sometimes obscure rather than clarify these intentions.
Tomonami addresses this challenge by converting abstract design ideas into shareable visual representations. By visualizing the effects of onomatopoeic parameters, the system enables architects to communicate their intentions in a form that others can immediately perceive and interpret.
This shared visual language fosters deeper collaboration within KKAA. Architects can compare interpretations, negotiate differences, and collectively refine their ideas. In doing so, Tomonami reveals the diversity of creative perspectives within the team and transforms that diversity into a source of innovation.
From Individual Inspiration to Collective Creativity
The evolution of Tomonami from collaborations with individual artists to a multi-creator architectural environment reflects a broader shift in how creativity is understood. Creativity is no longer seen as a solitary act but as a dynamic process shaped by interactions among people, tools, and cultural contexts.
Tomonami embodies this philosophy. The system is not merely a technological instrument; it is a partner in dialogue. It listens, responds, and evolves alongside its users. Through this interaction, new forms of creativity emerge—forms that neither humans nor machines could achieve alone.
Source Link:https://www.sonycsl.co.jp/
