A deeper dive into research on Japanese Architecture

1. PROJECT
STRUCTURALLY SOUND
Japanese Architecture Extended Research

2. HowTheWest Sees JapaneseArchitecture
Shrines/Temples Tokyo’s Busy StreetsMinimalist Homes

3. The Reality For ManyToday
- Tight spaces, Many the size of a Coffin
- Not so Minimalist!
- Against traditional values
- Why? Rapid, Unorganised population
growth and building development
- Photographer: KyoichiTsuzuki explores
these spaces

4. The Divide
• Traditional values broken
• No longer close to nature or able to
appreciate it
• Argument: “You only need oneTatami
to meditate, OneTatami to sleep.
Anything more than that is just a
luxury.”
• Minimalist lifestyle hides personality
This is a
Tatami Mat
VS

5. TraditionalValues
• Shintoism
Regarded as bad in Shinto:
• Things which disturb: kami, the worship of kami,
the harmony of the world, the natural world,
the social order, the group of which one is a
member
Tradition and the family: Understanding
that family is the foundation for
preserving traditions
Love of nature: Holding nature sacred
Theses are examples of Kami

6. Traditional Architecture
• Learn from their Ancestors
• Natural Materials
• No Nails used
• At one with nature Roof of a pagoda – wooden joints

7. Like A Painting
• Buildings capture natures beauty
• Stroll Gardens
• Stop and absorb nature

8. Why are Architects looking at traditional
values and practises again?
• Structurally sound design proven to
withstand extreme weather
• Closer to the Kami
• Respect ancestors and learn from their
work
• Better for the environment – natural
materials

9. Who are the people bringing back these
traditions?

10. Re-building Kyo-Machiyas
• Traditional wooden Japanese
townhouse
• Estate agents in Japan encourage
buying and renovating a Kyo-Machiya
• Use of natural materials
• Being creative with
the space

11. EarthquakeTechnology
• Old buildings still stand
• Engineers study old buildings
• Wood is flexible
• Gardens used for refuge inTokyo
Traditional Japanese temples
have rocks underneath the pillars
Influenced modern
technology

12. Hara House
Hara House Jomon House
Takeru Shoji Architects - 2019 Jomon -1000 BCE

13. Terunobu Fujimori
• Japanese Architect
• Uses Natural Materials
• BelievesTokyo should
incorporate more natural
materials
• Creates unique spaces

14. ChangingTokyo
Tree-Ness house

15. Thankyou
Let me know what most interested you 
Here is a quick recap:
- Western view on Japanese Architecture
- The reality ofTokyo living
- Traditional values (In Shinto, Architecture, and Gardens)
- Why architects are looking back at tradition
- Kyo-Machiyas (JapaneseTownhouses)
- EarthquakeTechnology
- Hara House vs Jomon (New vs Old)
- Japanese ArchitectTerunobu Fujimori
- How traditional values are influencingTokyo today