Toyo Ito discusses his design for the Sendai Mediatheque in relation to other recent projects spanning the domestic, commercial and municipal. After studying architecture at the University of Tokyo, Toyo Ito established his own company, URBOT (Urban Robot) in 1971, which became Toyo Ito and Associates in 1979. His work has emerged from his fascination with the simulated city of Tokyo, with its constant flux and metamorphosis. His buildings, constructed from steel and aluminium, appear to float rather than anchor themselves to the ground. However disparate the challenge each building poses, Itos basic theme of natures relationship to architecture is always in evidence.