4 Books on Japanese Architectural Design

Japanese architecture has been a fascination to the western world since its introduction at the beginning of the modern architectural movement. Japanese architecture largely uses themes as an approach to the design concept which generate project titles such as Nested Boxes, Friendly Nod, or Alleyway Living. Themes along with an understanding of light quality and tactile materiality generate generate architectural concepts that far greater than just creating a piece of the city provoke an emotional reaction.

The following are but a four in a large selection of interesting books on the topic. These four books focus on how Japanese architects use themes in architectural design.

Zen Spaces & Neon Places: Reflections on Japanese Architecture and Urbanism by Vinayak Bharne

An instantly intriguing title, this book covers the history and values which contribute to traditional and modern Japanese architecture. The book explains how spirituality created a cultural use of wood, the concept of time, transience and temporality in architecture, and the tension between traditional and modern. Whereas the west was built with stone to last forever, the Japanese built with the expectation of eventual demise. It is interesting to see how tradition and modernism coexist, both at the scale of building elements where modern buildings retain traditional elements and at the urban scale where old and new constructions are next door to each other. This book is good for understanding the Japanese context and traveling to Japan.

In Praise of Shadows by Jun’ichiro Tanizaki

This is an excellent book that dives into Japanese aesthetics and a way of thinking. Tanizaki brings images into the mind and explains lighting effects which create sensual experiences. The description of how soft candles and oil lamps give off a glow that’s lost with modern lighting questions our need to have lights everywhere and uncover the importance of shadows. The book goes on to talk about how the western belief is to erase shadow with as much light as possible but he argues that shadows are essential for the beauty found in lacquer ware and No theater. Tanizaki puts into words the feelings of Japan and is essential to understanding the Japanese culture. It is great read both for those learning about Japanese architecture and as a reflection after visiting Kyoto.

How to Make a Japanese House by Cathelijne Nuijsink

This is an excellent reference and inspiration book to have close at hand. It is useful beyond residential design because it is all about themes and concepts. The book includes interviews with the project architects which frames their design processes and their approach to a central theme. The theme, whether it be air, light, a box within a box, streetways or horizontal planes generates the conceptual framework for the architecture. This book is full of lessons and theory for any architectural design and signifies the importance of having a theme to realize a conceptual idea giving atmosphere to the architecture.

Matter in the floating world: Conversations with leading Japanese architects and designers by Blaine Brownell

This is another book of interviews with Japanese architects. The interviews are categorized into lightness, atmosphere, flow, and emergence. Japanese architects approach their work with “an acute interest in perception, seeking to enhance the viewer’s multisensory experience.” It is important to be reminded of the ephemeral qualities of physical work through creativity to create more than just a space or a nice drawing but a sense of time, a sense of being, and a sense of belonging.