Contemporary Japanese Architecture

Modern by Tradition: A Survey of Japan's Contemporary Architecture Scene

Ever since Osaka World Expo '70 brought contemporary forms center stage, Japan has been a key player in global architecture. The contemporary architecture of Japan has long been among the most inventive in the world, recognized for sustainability and infinite creativity. No fewer than seven Japanese architects have won the Pritzker Prize.

Masters of Japanese Architecture:

With his intentionally limited vocabulary of geometric forms, Tadao Ando put Japanese building on the world's cultural map, establishing a bridge between East and West. In the wake of Ando's mostly concrete buildings, figures like Kengo Kuma (Japan National Stadium), Shigeru Ban (Mount Fuji World Heritage Center), and Kazuyo Sejima (Kanazawa Museum of 21st Century Art) pioneered a more sustainable approach.

What Makes This Book Essential:

• 39 architects and 55 exceptional projects
• 448 pages of comprehensive coverage
• Original floor plans and technical drawings
• Stunning photography of completed projects
• Projects from Tadao Ando, SANAA, Shigeru Ban, Kengo Kuma, and more
• Elaborate essay tracing Japan's building scene from the Metabolists to today
• Insights into sustainable and nature-connected design
• XL-sized format for maximum visual impact

Featured Projects Include:

• Tadao Ando's Shanghai Poly Theater
• Shigeru Ban's La Seine Musical concert hall
• SANAA's Grace Farms
• Fumihiko Maki's 4 World Trade Center
• Takashi Suo's sustainable dental clinic

Specifications:

• Format: Hardcover
• Dimensions: 24.6 x 37.2 cm (XL size)
• Weight: 3.77 kg
• Pages: 448
• ISBN: 978-3-8365-7510-2
• Edition: English
• Publisher: TASCHEN

"A comprehensive and richly illustrated survey of the field." — The Japan Times

"A bible of the most beautiful contemporary Japanese monuments." — Architectures à Vivre

This book reveals how Japan's unique creativity is a fruit of the country's particular situation—high population density, a modern efficient economy, a long history, and the continual risk of disasters. Younger generations have successfully developed new directions in Japanese architecture that are in harmony with nature and connected to traditional building, truly reacting to their environment.