ADAPTATION OF VERNACULAR

JAPANESE MATERIALS IN
CONTEMPORARY JAPANESE
ARCHITECTURE
CASE STUDY: PROSTHO MUSEUM RESEARCH
CENTER, KASUGAI
ALLAA ABDELRAOUF 0332099
CHALAKA WIJENAYAKE 0332067
KESHAV SEERAZ 0326598
KIRRTHANA NANTHINI A/P RAVINDRAN 0218102
LAISA MASOOD 0326705
RAHMA NURU HUSSEIN KATTANGA 0332045
RANJEEV SINGH 0327812
ADAPTATION OF VERNACULAR JAPANESE MATERIALS
IN CONTEMPORARY JAPANESE ARCHITECTURE

Issue statement

Starting the mid 19th century, Japan started incorporating modern

western influences in its architecture, which that marked the end
of the Edo period, which was ruled by isolationist policies. It started
in the 17th century and ended in the mid 19th century.
Since then, Japanese culture and architecture has had a major shift
of focus from its native traditions towards a modern, westernized
influences.
This would lead to the fading and eventual decline in Japan’s
local culture, and thus architecture. Therefore, there is an
eminent challenge for modern Japanese architects to uphold
Japan’s unique identity by incorporating old Japanese features into
their modern design as a way to preserve their identity.
Literature review
This research aims to study the adaptation of vernacular Japanese
materials in contemporary Japanese architecture. To revive the
declining vernacular Japanese architecture, due to the increase in
western influences to the society which impacts the culture, and
thus architecture. Through this research, the scope of study will
show the efforts of contemporary Japanese architects on solving
this issue. The most prominent one is with the approach of
materiality and specifically timber, and with the help of the Prostho
Museum Research Center as the case study to elaborate more.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. What defines Japanese vernacular Architecture?

2. What are the prominent features in Japanese vernacular architecture?
3. What are the changes in Japanese architecture?
4. Architecturally, what are the efforts made to solve this issue?
5. Case study: How is Prostho museum an example of a contemporary building that has
adapted features of traditional Japanese architecture?

6. Conclusion: What are the impacts that Prostho museum and other such buildings have on
the current Japanese culture?

METHODOLOGY

It must be noted that the study was conducted using secondary and tertiary information, without visiting or observing the building, its
context or the local culture. Therefore, the information available may be incomplete or subject to minor distortions during interpretation.
Hence, it is suggested that in order to improve this research, that a first-hand study is conducted on site to collect any required data that is
missing or to make more informed conclusions.
JAPANESE VERNACULAR
ARCHITECTURE
Japanese Vernacular architecture has traditionally been
typified by timber structures, elevated slightly off the ground,
with tiled or thatched roofs("Japanese architecture," 2018). When
we talk about “Japanese vernacular architecture” we’re
referring to the Edo period (the 17th to mid-19th centuries)
and a bit beyond("Tokyo History 101: How the Capital City Came to Be
- Part 1 | Tokyo Cheapo," 2017).
This is because by the end of the 19th century Japan had
already started implementing western influences in its
architecture thus making the Edo period a better reference for
Japanese vernacular architecture.
 FUSUMA

SHOJI

Shoji and Fusuma screens Tatami mats Wagoya

Used to separate larger spaces Traditional flooring in Japanese architecture. Roof framework used to support the
into private rooms Often used as a measure of floor space of a room clay tiled roof. (Plesums, G (1996))

PROMINENT FEATURES OF VERNACULAR JAPANESE ARCHITECTURE

Timber Roof tiles

Commonly used due to its association with
nature. (Charleson & Cader, 2014)
 DETERIORATION OF JAPANESE CULTURE AND ITS
EFFECTS ON JAPANESE VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE
 MEIJI PERIOD LATE SHOWA PERIOD
Kaichi Primary School, Yoyogi National Gymnasium, built
Matsumoto, built in 1876 for the 1964 Summer Olympics WHY THE CULTURE IS
DETERIORATING
● growth of technology
● aging population
● lack of practicality tradition has
today among the youth
● decline in the popularity of
17th C - 19th C 1900s - 1940s 1980s - 2010s
traditional Japanese features in
TIMELINE SHOWING EVOLUTION OF JAPANESE ARCHITECTURE architecture
19th C - 1900s 1950s - 1980s
HOW ITS AFFECTING
EDO PERIOD COLONIAL ARCHITECTURE HEISEI PERIOD (Current era) ARCHITECTURE
● usage of man-made materials
-concrete onto building facades
● wide glass curtain walls
● flat roofs
Konponchudo of Enryaku-ji in Bank of Japan, Tokyo, Kingo Tama Art University Library,
Ōtsu, Shiga Built in 1641 Tatsuno, built in 1896 Tōkyō Built in 2007
 Despite the western influence on Japan the recent years, Japanese architects are applying
Japanese conceptual methods and materiality into contemporary designs to revive the vernacular
Japanese architecture.

THEORIES MATERIALITY TYPOLOGY

Toshima City Hall, Tokyo Starbucks, Fukuoka Guest house in Kyoto

Japanese concept of the gentle divide to
blend the building into the surrounding by
the use of an “eco veil” as a modern
rendition of the “shoji”.
Traditional woodwork technique known as
kigumi creates a signature feature of the
store. The theme of the store is the "fusion
of the traditional and the modern using
natural materials”.
Maintains one of the features of Japanese
architecture such as the courtyard creating
interacting dialogue scenes which aims to
express the essence of traditional Kyoto
culture.
The most prominent feature of traditional Japanese
buildings is the dominance of timber. This was preferred
over stone and other materials, as a more flexible material
when subjected to the ever-present earthquake. TIMBER
Timber was given great respect and not concealed by
paint; it was used in its natural form so that the grain
could be appreciated.

Preference for timber in traditional construction is the ready

availability of lumber in Japan.
 CASE STUDY

PROSTHO MUSEUM RESEARCH CENTER

KASUGAI, JAPAN

Architect: KENGO KUMA & ASSOCIATES

Completed: 2010
Location: Kasugai-shi, Aichi, Japan

Dentistry Museum Research Center

The main feature adapted from traditional
japanese architecture is the extensive use of
timber.

The reason for this is to revive the materiality

in traditional Japanese architecture.

The main focus of the architect was the use of

timber, as the only material used for the
building.

In addition to that, he thought to look for an

inspiration from a cultural aspect. Inspired by
the timber materiality, he thought of the cidori
toy originated from Hida Takayama city as the
joinery system.
 AESTHETICS & STRUCTURE
Just like how timber was used in vernacular
Japanese architecture, Prostho museum does not
only use timber for aesthetic purposes for the
poetics of the space, but also for structural
purposes. The cidori inspired timber frame
supports the building alongside concrete load
bearing walls. This shows the prominent role of
timber in the vernacular japanese architecture

Therefore, Prostho museum is one of the

contemporary buildings that implements the use
of timber similar to how it is utilized in the
vernacular Japanese architecture.
 Japanese architects have been utilising their vernacular architecture features into contemporary designs as a means of
preserving the fading Japanese traditional identity
trying to bridge the vernacular style with the on going modern developments.

The Prostho Museum is one of the many great examples of contemporary architecture with adapted features and the style,
namely the use of timber, of vernacular Japanese architecture.

Kitazawa Kenchiku Factory, Nagano Starbucks Coffee, Fukuoka

House of Japanese Cedar, Osaka Church Sun-Pu, Shizuoka

“[Other times] the only way to preserve culture is

to modify it with the changing situation and times”
-Japan Today - Where is Japan’s Culture and is it disappearing?
REFERENCES

Prostho Museum Research Center Kengo Kuma & Associates. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.world-architects.com/en/kengo-kuma-and-associates-tokyo/project/prostho-museum-research-center

GC Prostho Museum Research Center / Kengo Kuma & Associates. (2012, January 16). Retrieved from
https://www.archdaily.com/199442/gc-prostho-museum-research-center-kengo-kuma-associates

6 elements of Japanese traditional architecture | REthink Tokyo - Real Estate Information for Buyers and Investors. (2017, December 12). Retrieved from
https://www.rethinktokyo.com/2017/12/12/6-elements-japanese-traditional-architecture/1513026009

Wood, Mold, and Japanese Architecture. (2017, December 19). Retrieved from https://www.nippon.com/en/views/b02314/

Hays, J. (n.d.). JAPANESE ARCHITECTURE: WOOD, EARTHQUAKES, TEA ROOMS AND TRADITIONAL HOMES | Facts and Details. Retrieved from
http://factsanddetails.com/japan/cat20/sub129/item687.html

Timmons, H. (2015, June 4). Kengo Kuma is reclaiming Japanese architecture. Retrieved from
https://qz.com/406712/kengo-kuma-is-reclaiming-japanese-architecture/

Blending Japanese traditional and modern architecture, this Kyoto guest house is a quiet stunner. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://archinect.com/news/article/150052687/blending-japanese-traditional-and-modern-architecture-this-kyoto-guest-house-is-a-quiet-stunner

MATCHA. (2015, September 16). Starbucks Dazaifu Omotesando Tenmangu, Fukuoka - Great Coffee And Wonderful Woodwork | MATCHA - JAPAN TRAVEL WEB
MAGAZINE. Retrieved from https://matcha-jp.com/en/1114

Japanese architecture. (2018, September 15). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_architecture

Modern Japanese Architecture: From Meiji Restoration to Today. (2018, September 4). Retrieved from
https://www.edx.org/course/modern-japanese-architecture-meiji-tokyotechx-arch101x-0

Retrieved from https://www.architectmagazine.com/technology/what-draws-us-to-japanese-contemporary-architecture_o

REFERENCES

Edo period. (2018, October 6). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edo_period

Interesting Facts about Japanese Houses. (2018, June 11). Retrieved from https://didyouknowhomes.com/2016/05/03/interesting-facts-about-japanese-houses/

Remarkable Japanese Timber Structures. (2012, October 19). Retrieved from https://www.japlusu.com/news/remarkable-japanese-timber-structures

A harmonious coexistence of tradition and innovation. Retrieved from https://web-japan.org/factsheet/en/pdf/e25_architecture.pdf

Matsushita, S. (2004, March). Comparative study of the structure of traditional timber housing in Turkey and Japan. Retrieved from
https://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/12604902/index.pdf

Where is Japan's culture and is it disappearing? (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://japantoday.com/category/features/opinions/where-is-japans-culture-and-is-it-disappearing

17 Classic Features of Japanese Houses. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.japan-talk.com/jt/new/japanese-houses