Ongoing

Four Facets of Contemporary Japanese Architecture: Technology

This is the second course of “Four Facets of Contemporary Japanese Architecture” series, with the focus on the second facet: technology. The technology portion will focus on works by architects who explored the use of technology—from techniques used for traditional crafts to computational processes—as a vehicle for their investigations into the conceptualization and production of architecture. Tadao Ando, Shigeru Ban, Manabu Chiba, Kengo Kuma, Kazuhiko Namba, and Yusuke Obuchi will visit their buildings to discuss the ideas behind their respective works.

Supported Language(s): Japanese, English

Architecture Arts & Humanities
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Instructor(s)

KUMA Kengo

Position
University Professor
Division
Office of University Professor, The University of Tokyo

OBUCHI Yusuke

Position
Associate Professor
Division
Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo

The title and affliation listed are profile when the course was created.

Instructors' Voices

In this course, you will learn about:

  • Development of contemporary Japanese architecture since the 1964 Tokyo Olympics
  • Features of works of influential Japanese architects
  • Unique technologies used for contemporary Japanese architecture
  • Present concerns and potential future directions for contemporary Japanese architecture

Highlights

Highlight video:Four Facets of Contemporary Japanese Architecture: Technology1

Highlight video:Four Facets of Contemporary Japanese Architecture: Technology2

Highlight video:Four Facets of Contemporary Japanese Architecture: Technology3

Learners' Statistics

Learners' Voices

  • India, 19

    The course was really engaging and well structured. It helped to curate the different eras of the post war japanese architecture, alongside defining the avant garde connection of architecture and technology. As Kuma san said in the end, that there's more to and several ways of perceiving architecture and technology. I would like to request to organize a program where select students can become a part of the annual pavilion building event as headed by Prof. Yusuke Obuchi. It could be a great opportunity for me if somehow I can be a part of the design and construction of such pavilions to have a deeper insight of his studio.

  • Indonesia, 18

    I very much enjoy all the videos and had fun learning them. I love how the lecture videos are done in an interview style. It's more interesting and less boring for us to study online. Easier for us to understand too. I love how each module is filmed at different location and with different architects. I feel I have learned a lot and I did not waste my time signing up to this course. Looking forward to more courses from Tokyo University about architecture.

  • Student C

    I've been pleased with the content of fhis course. In fact I've managed to learn much more than what I've learned during the whole year from my post-graduation architectural course. I was considering dropping out of which and not completing the academic year. However, by listening to your lectures I've gained my self-confidence back and managed to complete both courses. I think it's due to the fact that I've always been fascinated by the japanese culture and just listening to the philosophy behind the architectural technological japanese design from some of the leading architects in the field made me realise how beautiful a human thought can be. Furthermore I realised that the contemporary architectural design is becoming more complex than ever, but with the aid of technological advancements we're just entering a whole new world of possibilities. Thank you for this wonderful content!

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