Four Facets of Contemporary Japanese Architecture: Technology from edX

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.

Production Team

Music by Jun Miyake

Organized by (T_ADS) Kengo Kuma, Yusuke Obuchi, Toshihiko Kiuchi

Filmed by Hiromoto Oka

Translation Support by Thomas Daniell

What you'll learn

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

What's inside

Learning objectives

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

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

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches uses of and processes in technology in contemporary Japanese architecture

Features works by influential Japanese architects

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Four Facets of Contemporary Japanese Architecture: Technology with these activities:

Review foundational architecture concepts

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This course builds upon many concepts in architecture that may have been forgotten over time. Reviewing these will augment foundational knowledge.

Browse courses on Architecture

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Identify fundamental principles and philosophies of architecture
Distinguish between styles and movements in architecture
Research famous architects and the major architectural projects they are known for

Read Architecture: Form, Space, & Order

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The text covers the development of architecture technologies from traditional crafts to present-day techniques in a holistic way.

View A Global History of Architecture on Amazon

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Review the main principles and concepts of architecture according to Ching and Jarzombek
Identify and explain the different ways in which technology has influenced the development of architecture
Explore case studies of buildings that exemplify the use of different technologies

Gather a collection of resources on contemporary Japanese architecture

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Architecture in Japan has influenced many present architectural practices. Compiling resources on this will give a fuller, richer perspective.

Browse courses on Contemporary Japanese Architecture

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Create a dedicated folder or online collection for this activity
Search for and gather articles, videos, and websites on contemporary Japanese architecture
Include a variety of sources, including reputable architecture journals and websites, as well as blogs and social media accounts of architects and designers

Three other activities

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Write a blog post or article on a specific aspect of contemporary Japanese architecture

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Writing an article can help clarify your understanding of the concepts.

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Choose a specific topic or aspect of contemporary Japanese architecture to focus on
Research the topic thoroughly, using credible sources
Organize your thoughts and ideas into a logical structure
Write the blog post or article, paying attention to clarity, grammar, and style
Proofread your work carefully before publishing it

Create a model of a traditional Japanese building using a modeling software

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Creating a model will reinforce the knowledge gained from the course and improve spatial reasoning skills.

Browse courses on Software

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Choose a traditional Japanese building to model
Select a suitable modeling software
Find tutorials or documentation on how to use the software and create the model
Pay attention to the details and proportions of the building

Participate in an architecture workshop or masterclass

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Students can gain expertise through practical hands-on experience and feedback from experienced architects.

Browse courses on Architecture

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Identify a workshop or masterclass that is aligned with the topics of the course
Apply or register for the workshop or masterclass
Attend the workshop or masterclass and actively participate in the activities

Career center

Learners who complete Four Facets of Contemporary Japanese Architecture: Technology will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Architectural Writer

An architectural writer produces content about architecture for various media. This course may be useful for building a knowledge base and understanding that can help lead to critical and thoughtful writing about contemporary Japanese architecture.

See salaries and explore the career path for Architectural Writer

Environmental Designer

An environmental designer's work focuses on the environmental impact of design. This course may be useful when working on Japanese-inspired architectural design in order to respect the Japanese cultural emphasis on nature.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Designer

Architectural Historian

An architectural historian is concerned with the history of architecture and its impact on the design of cities. This course may be useful in your future work by providing historical context for your historical and contemporary designs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Architectural Historian

Architectural Technologist

While an architectural designer leans towards the design process, an architectural technologist's work leans more towards the engineering and technical aspects of design. This course may help in developing your foundational knowledge of contemporary Japanese architecture and can help inform your use of tools and techniques in future work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Architectural Technologist

Construction Manager

Similar to a construction contractor, a construction manager may work on design solutions, but is more likely to focus on the construction and building phase of a project. This course will likely give you a strong foundation in some of the structural and engineering aspects of construction for contemporary Japanese architecture.

See salaries and explore the career path for Construction Manager

Sustainability Consultant

A sustainability consultant advises clients on how to make their spaces more sustainable. This course may be useful when working on architectural projects where sustainable design is a priority, which is common in some Japanese-inspired designs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Consultant

Lighting Designer

A lighting designer focuses on lighting design to complement architectural design, working with both natural and artificial light. This course may be useful for understanding the way light can best be used in Japanese-inspired architectural design.

See salaries and explore the career path for Lighting Designer

Building Contractor

A building contractor's work relies on a deep understanding of architectural design and construction. This course might be particularly useful if you want to work with Japanese-inspired designs, but even in more standard work environments, this course can help you understand some of the more traditional techniques used in some designs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Building Contractor

Urban Planner

Urban planning can include aspects of architecture and engineering such as land use planning and zoning. This course may be useful when considering the use of Japanese-inspired design in larger outdoor urban spaces such as parks and walkways.

See salaries and explore the career path for Urban Planner

Landscape Architect

Landscape architecture focuses on the design and management of outdoor space. This course may be useful when wanting to design outdoor spaces that complement the Japanese-inspired design of a building and create a cohesive atmosphere.

See salaries and explore the career path for Landscape Architect

Civil Engineer

Civil engineering is a broad field of work, and may include the design and management of various structures. This course may be useful for someone interested in the civil engineering side of architecture, particularly when working with Japanese-inspired design or with Japanese contractors and clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Civil Engineer

Architectural Designer

An architectural designer's work is based on the field of architecture, and uses many of the same methods and techniques, but does not encompass the full range of an architect's work. This course may help in developing your foundational knowledge of contemporary Japanese architectural design and history.

See salaries and explore the career path for Architectural Designer

Architectural Project Manager

An architectural project manager oversees the entire process of a design project. Having a foundational knowledge of architecture can be helpful in this career, particularly when dealing with teams of architects and designers. This course may help build that foundation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Architectural Project Manager

Interior designer

Interior design focuses on the interior space of a building, and can help a building feel more cohesive and comfortable. This course may be useful when working with a Japanese style of architecture where interior and exterior design are more closely linked.

See salaries and explore the career path for Interior designer

Architect

The field of contemporary Japanese architecture is very detailed, with lots of technological and traditional techniques to learn and build on. While this course may not make you a full-fledged architect, it will teach you about the intuitive and technical processes that go into architectural and structural design.

See salaries and explore the career path for Architect

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