| Urban and Regional Residential Space Planning |
Architectural Design |
How did the variety of spaces we encounter while walking through cities and rural districts evolve? Many cities have been built through planning and not a few of them have continued long past their planners, transforming their structures through inhabitation. I research the current state of urban structures as influenced by this process. My primary focus is that of relatively unchanged areas within the city of Kyoto. In addition, I conduct comparative research on the form and structure of cities in Japan and abroad, particularly Asian cities, and the processes that transformed them.
What kind of architecture should be planned for such cities? To answer this question, I would like to consider design proposals of architectural models that could be prototypes that can respond to present needs. These proposals could be for a new building, the renovation of an existing building or an addition to an existing building. I assert that proposals that serve as models in the present needs will reorganize city block (grid) structure
Research themes: Research and study on the planning, transformation, and current status of urban and rural areas in Kyoto and abroad / Propose architectural models for urban and rural area.
Keywords:Urban / Regional / Architecture / Typology / Models / Grid system cities/ Kyoto / Asia
|
Our main focus is the theoretical study of various aspects and phenomena related to architectural design, both tangible and intangible, and the examination of specific ways in which they develop during the actual design process. To realize a laboratory-conceived idea as a feasible architectural design, students learn to view issues from a broad perspective and train in articulating their intentions to a third party. They also study the relationship between Togo Murano’s design process and work by classifying and analyzing the original drawings of this architect stored in the KIT Museum and Archives.
Research themes: Togo Murano’s design process and the basis for his architectural design
Keywords: Togo Murano / Emotionality / Architecture |
| Architectural Design |
Architectural Design |
The process of creating a built space involves terms and conditions in many dimensions. When these are well integrated, and none are overlooked or omitted, a building becomes “architecture” and its inner environments and surroundings are optimized. How do we design such architecture? This lab pursues design methodology from the angles of both research and implementation.
Research themes: Optimizing Architecture: Toward Sustainable Landscapes
Keywords: Architectural Design / Design Methodology / Optimization / Sustainability / Landscape |
We will consider the relationship between our modern lives and our surrounding environment through investigative research and design.
While modern conveniences have made our lives more stable and convenient, our life skills and our ability to be creative and enjoy our lives have deteriorated.
We consider ways of constructing and sustaining built environments, not through objectification of environments such as those much larger than our physical selves – buildings and towns – but as an art that enables us to create entities that impose no barriers and are continuous with our bodies. and building and sustaining it together.
Research themes: Architectural Design and Design Theory Connecting Life and Creation
Keywords: Architectural Design / Architectural Design Theory / Loggia / Common / Care / Combiviality |
| Architectural Design |
Modern Architecture Design |
Creating architecture is creating culture. Our species instinctively settled in caves for protection. Ever since, the architecture we have created has enriched our lives. People gathered and cities formed. The history people make through architecture is culture. Creating architecture in nature means building a physical relationship with the earth’s surface, in other words, dealing with gravity. For example, just as Le Corbusier’s pilotis created a new type of boundary between the natural and built environments, today, there is a need for a bridging of private and public, internal and external, civil engineering and architectural boundaries. In connecting such dichotomies, I explore new approaches to boundary space that enable diverse activities not only for the users of structures, but also for the enjoyment of passersby.
Research themes: New approaches to boundary space in architecture
Keywords: Architectural design/Boundary space/Transitional areas/Threshold/ Pilotis/Urban planning |
The quintessence of modernity lies in overcoming the past in the present moment and creating the future. We define buildings embodying this essence as modern architecture. Research at our lab examines the creation of the ideas which oriented modern architectural design, its method development, and the re-interpretation of databases of past work. While serving as the driving force in overcoming the constraints of the past, students develop their imaginative faculties, reflecting on the human physique, environment, and history.
Research themes: Research on design concepts and methods of modern architecture
Keywords: Space / Place / Tectonic / Structure / Conceptual Power / Contemporary Thought / Gardens / Japanese Thought |
| Architectural Design |
Architecture and Urban Design Theory |
Students are expected to improve their aesthetic sense of spaces on earth – buildings, urban areas, and natural settings. Our laboratory conducts elaborate analyses of architectural locations and proposes novel architectural space-use. In-depth investigation and analysis are required for this purpose, especially in the areas of topography, history and the social background of a place. Individual creativity and meticulous research will interact, paving the way to a dynamic future.
Research themes: Existing environment and new spatial planning
Keywords: Context / Earth / Environment / Cities / Villages (Settlement ) / Architecture / Landscape / Architects
|
This laboratory examines a wide range of design methodologies, focusing on public spaces from specific architectural constructions to urban areas. With special attention to modernist architecture, students learn from the specific works and methodologies of various architects. The laboratory holds an annual exhibition to present its achievements, incorporating the use of the Togo Murano drawings in the KIT Museum and Archives. We have also contributed to many exhibitions of the work of architects such as Antonin Raymond, Junzo Sakakura, Charlotte Perriand, Kunio Maekawa, Seiichi Shirai, and Kenzo Tange. Our goal is to identify design methods that are effective today and make them available to practical architectural design.
Research themes: Learning about the state of modern cities and architecture from modernist architecture in Japan
Keywords: Modernist Architecture / Kunio Maekawa / Le Corbusier / Togo Murano / Junzo Sakakura
|
| Structural Engineering of Architecture |
Architectural Planning and Design |
In this laboratory, we are developing methods and technologies improving the earthquake resistance of building structures including historical and traditional buildings, and aim to establish structural design technologies with excellent design and safety. To establish the methods to accurately evaluate the static and dynamic behavior of the building structures, we are conducting experimental studies and developing computer simulation techniques for large deformation elastic-plastic frames. Furthermore, we are developing efficient methods for evaluating the resonant phenomenon of the building structures due to earthquake ground motions. In tandem with the establishment of these technologies, we are developing the structural methods based on new technologies including AI and IoT in the view of supporting building structural designers.
Research themes: The Evaluation of Seismic Performance of Historical and other Buildings and Structural Design Technique Development
Keywords: Earthquake-resistant structures / Traditional architecture / Structural mechanics / Structural design |
Our residences form the basis for our daily life, and require our long-term involvement in their construction and maintenance. Many people fail to maintain their residences, however. In our laboratory, we examine the following research topics, and provide hands-on experience with support activities and manufacturing. 1. Emergency housing for disaster victims 2. Housing for people with rare diseases or elderly people with dementia that can continue to meet their needs as their condition progresses 3. Rejuvenation measures for vacant houses and old buildings.
Research themes: Approaches to architecture and urban development that are open to diversity and rich in sustainability
Keywords: Housing / Publicity / Regeneration / Disaster prevention |
| Architectural Planning and Design for Regional Facilities |
Historical Survey of Urban Environments and Architectural Structures |
Our research centers on traditional spaces and on creating spaces for children. It involves: 1) analyzing and re-evaluating the function of traditional Japanese verandas (engawa) and alleys (roji). Through these processes, we examine ways to apply traditional spaces to present-day community facilities, and to rejuvenate and maintain such spaces. 2) studying environments where children can play freely. We explore ways to utilize engawa verandas in childcare facilities to increase interaction, to facilitate outdoor activity, and to solve space shortage problems.
Research themes: Functional Inheritance of Traditional Spaces / Creating Spaces that Encourage Children
Keywords: Intermediate area / Children’s environment / Community facilities |
Our laboratory aims to understand and reconsider the diversity and historical value of architecture, settlements and cities in Japan and Europe through the field survey and the analysis of historical documents and drawings. In addition, with our research we will make proposals for preservation and utilization of them as future cultural properties. The themes of current studies are below. 1. Urban study of Kyoto in the early modern period, 2. The formation of Japanese castle towns between the middle and early modern periods, 3. The formation of Japanese religious buildings in the early modern period, 4. Study of urban history in Italy in the early modern period, 5. Interpretation of architecture, settlements and cities in Italy and studies on the methodology of preservation and restoration, 6. Studies of Cultural landscapes in Europe.
Research themes: Field Survey and Studies of Traditional Cities and Historical Architecture
Keywords: Urban history/Territorial history/Landscape history/Kyoto/History of Japanese architecture/Historical survey of urban environments and architectural structures |
| Urban History |
Urban History and Urban Theory |
Our laboratory investigates the history of urban and suburban areas, making use of a variety of historical sources to explore the process of and reasons for their formation, development, and decline. Specifically, we research the history of modern cities; cities and water environments; the history of urban landscape development; and the spatial structure of early-modern samurai warrior dwellings, temples, and shrines.
Research themes: A Historical Study of Urban Space in Japan
Keywords: Urban history/spatial history/environmental history/ Meisho(Famous places) Theory
|
Centered around studies of the history of modern architecture, we conduct historical and theoretical investigations into the urban spaces which form the basis of architecture. Cities embrace everything from politics, the economy, and culture, to people’s everyday lives. We analyze and clarify various aspects of urban spaces. What makes a city? What is the mutual relationship between the built environment and its people? Our research covers cities and towns principally in Japan and other parts of Asia.
Research themes: Formation and Transformation Processes of Modern and Contemporary Urban Spaces in Japan and Asia and Urban Analysis
Keywords: History of Urban Space / History of Modern Urban Planning / Urbanism |
| History of Modern Architecture and Conservation-Revitalization Design for Modern Architectural Heritage |
History of Japanese Architecture, Theory of Urban and Architectural Heritage |
Masterpieces of modern architecture are recently on the verge of demolition in a range of locations. If they are skillfully redesigned to suit present-day use while maintaining their historical value, these buildings can be preserved and utilized, providing our urban environments with both historical depth and newly functional spaces. We examine the work, design and technology of architects, carpenters and engineers of the modern period, focusing on the systems and regions that supported their activities. Furthermore, we conduct surveys and research from a global perspective on the philosophy, methods, techniques, and aesthetics surrounding the preservation and renovation of modern architecture.
Research themes: Historical modern architecture, Conservation-Revitalization Design for Modern Architectural Heritage
Keywords: Modern Architecture/Conservation/Revitalization/
Intervention/Renovation/Building Restoration Technology/Architectural Archives
|
We research traditional buildings – especially wooden buildings – and cities in Japan, East Asia, and around the world. Using the research on Japanese and East Asian architectural and urban history as a foundation, we actively conduct fieldwork on urban and architectural heritage – including traditional buildings, historic urban landscapes, and cultural landscapes – and implement projects for their conservation and rehabilitation. Our current activities include: (1) research on the theory and framework for the conservation and rehabilitation of cultural heritage; (2) surveys, conservation and rehabilitation of cultural landscapes and historic urban landscapes; (3) research into the design, technique, and culture of Japanese architecture and traditional wooden structures.
Research themes: Survey, research, conservation and rehabilitation of urban and architectural heritage; empirical research on the design, styles, materials, and techniques of Japanese architecture and traditional wooden buildings
Keywords: Cultural heritage/Urban and architectural heritage/Cultural landscape/Historic urban landscape/Japanese architecture/History of the construction industry/Temple and shrine architecture/Sukiya architecture/Vernacular architecture |
| History of Western Architecture/Architectural Theory |
|
We engage in field-research-based archaeological inquiry into medieval Western architecture. In addition, we work on the comparative study of architectural culture, examining Japanese architecture in collaboration with French researchers. We conduct research activities jointly with French universities, frequently exchanging students between the two countries. In particular, we have close ties with a historical and archaeological research group at the Université de Paris-Sorbonne. Although our program touches on architectural history and theory to provide a foundation for theoretical research, we actively take part in conservation projects for medieval churches and the renovation of Japanese architecture in France in collaboration with local researchers and governments.
Research themes: Considering Architecture from a Historical Context
Keywords: Architectural History / Architectural Archaeology / Comparative Architectural Theory
|
|
