20th Century Japan in 20 Buildings
This book tells the story of 20th century Japan through investigation of 20 buildings that reflect the major forces that formed modern Japan
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john barr
- Jan 7
- 3 min
Do|Co|Mo|Mo|Japan|23 : Saga Prefectural Museum : Yoshitaka Uchida and Daiichi Kobo
The design of the Saga Prefectural Museum offers a complete synthesis of structural and functional requirements.
john barr
- Jul 28, 2021
- 2 min
Do|Co|Mo|Mo|Japan|22 : Chiba Prefectural Central Library : Masato Otaka
Chiba Prefectural Library, designed by Masato Otaka, is an example of the architect's theory of PAU (Prefabrication, Architecture, Urbanism)
john barr
- May 20, 2021
- 4 min
Do|Co|Mo|Mo|Japan|21 : Yamanashi Press and Broadcasting Centre : Kenzo Tange
The Yamanashi Press and Broadcasting Centre is one of the few built examples of the theories developed by the Japanese Metabolist group.
john barr
- Mar 24, 2021
- 2 min
Do|Co|Mo|Mo|Japan|20 : National Theatre of Japan : Takenaka Corporation (Hiroyuki Iwamoto)
The National Theatre of Japan, like the 12th century Shoso-in on which the design is based, is an elegant 'black box' housing treasure.
john barr
- Feb 5, 2021
- 3 min
Do|Co|Mo|Mo|Japan|19 : Oita Prefectural Library : Arata Isozaki
One of the first independent designs by Arata Isozaki, whose body of works records the architecture of the 20th century.
john barr
- Jan 11, 2021
- 3 min
Do|Co|Mo|Mo|Japan|18 : 114th Bank Headquarters : Nikken Sekkei
An example of Nikken Sekkei's, technically-accomplished, clean-cut modernism that looks more to the USA than Europe.
john barr
- Dec 16, 2020
- 4 min
Do|Co|Mo|Mo|Japan|17 : Kyoto International Conference Centre : Sachio Otani
Part of the Japanese government's ambition to host major international conferences at a scale to compete with the UN in New York.
john barr
- Jul 24, 2020
- 4 min
Do|Co|Mo|Mo|Japan|16 : Tokyo Olympic Stadium : Kenzo Tange
Kenzo Tange’s Yoyogi Stadium came to symbolise the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games and Japan's return to the world stage.
john barr
- Jul 8, 2020
- 3 min
Do|Co|Mo|Mo|Japan|15 : St. Mary’s Cathedral : Kenzo Tange
St. Mary's Cathedral Tokyo was opened in the same year as the Yoyogi Olympic Stadia designed by Kenzo Tange for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
john barr
- May 29, 2020
- 4 min
Do|Co|Mo|Mo|Japan|14 : Nanzan University : Antonin Raymond
Nanzan University illustrates Antonin Raymond's belief in Modernism and efficiency but also contains the seed of its corruption.
john barr
- Feb 4, 2020
- 4 min
Do|Co|Mo|Mo|Japan|13 : San-Ai Dream Centre : Nikken Sekkei
The San-Ai Dream Centre has stood the test of time due to a design that maintains a clear focus on the purpose of the building.
john barr
- Feb 4, 2020
- 8 min
Do|Co|Mo|Mo|Japan|12 : Gunma Music Centre : Antonin Raymond
The Gunma Music centre raises questions as to whether its form is a result of function or the pursuit of style.
John Barr
- Oct 22, 2019
- 8 min
Do|Co|Mo|Mo|Japan|11 Ozaki Memorial Hall : Ichiro Ebihara
The Osaka Memorial Hall marks the introduction of parliamentary democracy to Japan and the possibility of a new beginning after WWII.
John Barr
- Aug 30, 2019
- 7 min
Do|Co|Mo|Mo|Japan|10 Toyoda Hall : Fumihiko Maki
Toyoda Hall, Fumihiko Maki's debut project, contains the seeds of ideas that he has continued to develop throughout his career...
John Barr
- Aug 2, 2019
- 5 min
Do|Co|Mo|Mo|Japan|09 Ministry of Foreign Affairs : Hideo Kosaka
The design of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building represents a time when modernism was concerned with social issues.
John Barr
- Jul 2, 2019
- 10 min
Do|Co|Mo|Mo|Japan|08 Kasuien : Togo Murano
Togo Murano is one of the most popular 20th century architects amongst Japanese, and yet he is not widely known outside Japan...
John Barr
- Jun 4, 2019
- 4 min
Do|Co|Mo|Mo|Japan|07 : Ura House : Takamasa Yoshizaka
The Ura House, designed by Takamasa Yoshizaka in 1956, is influenced by Corbusian ideas but also anticipates Japanese Metabolism.
John Barr
- May 7, 2019
- 3 min
From Imperial Power to Consumer Power : Imperial Palace, Kyoto to Naka Incineration Plant, Hiroshima
The Naka Incineration Plant Hiroshima illustrates Japan's movement from a pre-modern, feudal, society to a post-modern, consumer society.
John Barr
- Apr 29, 2019
- 4 min
Do|Co|Mo|Mo|Japan|06 : Osaka Gas Building : Takeo Yasui.
The Osaka Gas Building, designed by Takeo Yasui and completed in 1933, reflects Osaka's optimistic embrace of the future at that time.