Four Facets of Contemporary Japanese Architecture: City

This comprehensive course is the third in the "Four Facets of Contemporary Japanese Architecture" series, focusing specifically on the urban facet of Japanese architecture. After the 1970s, Japanese architects shifted from conceptualizing cities to designing individual buildings, but recent global changes and technological advancements have prompted a renewed engagement with urban planning. The course examines how Japanese architects have uniquely conceptualized cities through their architecture over the past half-century, identifying key transformations and future challenges. Students will learn from renowned architects including Fumihiko Maki, Itsuko Hasegawa, Riken Yamamoto, Kengo Kuma, Jun Aoki, and Atelier Bow-Wow, who share firsthand insights about their architectural works and design philosophies. Through these expert perspectives, participants will gain a deep understanding of how Japanese architecture has responded to urban challenges and contributed to contemporary discourse on city development. The course traces architectural evolution since the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and examines the distinctive features of influential Japanese architects' works, providing valuable context for understanding modern urban design approaches.