japanese architecture
Project
Layering time: A Contemporary farmstead in Kyoto
A contemporary rural home by Tomohiro Hata Architect & Associates reinterprets historic farmstead clusters in a bamboo-forest landscape.
Events
Three kiosks, three architects: Small-scale architecture across Hiroshima
We look back at the Hiroshima Architecture Exhibition in late 2025, where Junya Ishigami, Yasushi Horibe and Hideyuki Nakayama designed three poetic mobile kiosks.
Project
Inside the quiet beauty of Setouchi Retreat Aonagi on Shikoku
Tadao Ando’s Setouchi Retreat Aonagi conjures luxury through concrete, light, silence and a deeply immersive relationship with nature.
Project
The sauna designed with Mount Fuji in mind – and in view
With prime views over Japan’s Mount Fuji, Yū Momoeda’s sauna facility defies typical standards to respond to the undulations of nature.
Project
Koki Sugawara Architects transforms an inherited family home to meet modern needs
In Japan’s Kantō region, House For Family examples the potential of adaptive reuse for a young family.
Project
OOAK Niseko: Award-winning designer Steve Leung’s family holiday home in Japan
Steve Leung conceived OOAK Niseko as a gift to his family. The house is an unobtrusive addition to a resort town that is becoming known for architectural innovation.
Project
Dharmali Kusumadi on the Garrya Nijo Castle Kyoto by Banyan Tree Group
The Senior Vice President of Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts shares about the sophisticated design of the Group’s first property in Japan and future plans in the country.
People
Koichi Futatsumata lets his intuition guide his designs
The timeless designs of Japanese architect and designer Koichi Futatsumata of CASE-REAL are led by an intuitive and holistic approach of balancing form, function and feeling.
People
Keiji Ashizawa on the beauty of harmonised simplicity
It all starts with context and materiality for Japanese architect and designer, Keiji Ashizawa, whose work can be defined by harmonised details through an emphasis on simplicity and curated collaboration.
Project
Naoshima Ryokan ROKA is a new destination for art, culture and nature lovers
Okayama-based design firm Nottuo utilised the region’s abundant natural resources to create a sophisticated modern ryokan that integrates traditional Japanese architectural cues.
Project
Jun Aoki: Giving a century-old museum a glass face lift
How can a historical building remain relevant for the next century? Architect Jun Aoki transforms a key Kyoto cultural site for contemporary relevance.
Project
Jun Aoki: Giving a century-old museum a glass face lift
How can a historical building remain relevant for the next century? Architect Jun Aoki transforms a key Kyoto cultural site for contemporary relevance.
Project
Making Swedish minimalism meet Japanese aesthetics
Housed within a 1920’s former bank, Tokyo welcomes new boutique hotel designed by Claesson Koivisto Rune inspired by “aimai” (erasing borders) featuring a series of micro-spaces including a cafe, retail and fine dining.
Project
A Japanese zen oasis in Kyoto’s forest
How can design reimagine and add value to modern luxury today? Situated in a secluded and undisturbed forest in Kyoto’s north, the new Aman Kyoto designed by Kerry Hill Architects is a minimalist respite surrounded by nature.
Project
Wonderwall designs a Japanese winery ‘bunker’ inspired by winemaking
Set into a hillside in Japan, the concrete bunker aesthetic of this winery, designed by Wonderwall, belies a fastidious approach to wine-making that defines its layout.
People
Toyo Ito on architecture’s core points
There was high demand for interviews with Toyo Ito at Hong Kong Business of Design Week 2018. In a group session, the eminent Japanese architect answered a variety of questions about key aspects of architecture and practice.
People
Suppose Design Office’s uncharted territory
Finding a way to integrate multiple facets of the built environment, Japanese architecture firm Suppose Design Office not only creates contemporary projects but has opened a real estate agency and construction company all under one roof.
Ideas
Could these be the next new masters of Japanese architecture?
Japan has produced half a dozen Pritzker Prize-winning architects. Design is in the blood. But who is the next generation of design talent from this country – we take a look at the names you should know now and enjoy the beauty of the work they’re producing.
Project
Capsule hotel + sauna? It’s a thing
Remember Japanese capsule hotels? Although Tokyo is still littered with them, many conjure up a kitsch fad that has passed its heyday. Faced with the task of renovating one, Schemata Architects embraced a no-nonsense retro aesthetic to unite the two activities of sleeping and steaming.
Ideas
Train station design done right – Indesign’s top 5
Can train station design be more than a boring tube to funnel commuters to and from work? These 5 stations show a more beautiful side of urban design.
Project
Pushing the limits: CLT structure built in two days
A recent pilot CLT project in Japan by Junichi Kato showcases the benefits and appeal of CLT and hopes create demand for a sustainable and more sophisticated ecosystem for CLT production.