Stillness: An Exploration of Japanese Aesthetics in Architecture and Design

by Architects Norm (Editor)

After over a decade of travel, study and creative collaboration with Japan, Norm Architects’ shares their uniquely Scandinavian view of Japanese aesthetics.

The book features richly illustrated dispatches from visits to Japanese landscapes, architecture and cultural sites, shedding light on the influence Japanese traditions have had on the studio’s contemporary projects, such as the Äng restaurant in Sweden or Heatherhill Beach House in Denmark.

Juxtaposing images from Japan with Norm Architects’ work, the book highlights the centuries-old connections between the distinct design cultures, emphasizing mutual respect and shared philosophies. Commentary from expert collaborators in both regions provides in-depth understanding into key design principles.

At once an ode to Japan, a personal travelogue, and an aesthetic manifesto, Stillness takes readers on Norm’s decade-long journey as they’ve sought to understand one of the world’s most revered creative cultures.

Genres: Architecture, Design, Nonfiction, Japan, Interior Design

304 pages, Hardcover

Published October 8, 2024

Reviews

[Víctor Bermúdez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing lasts.

[Calle · Rating 3.25 out of 5]

To me, a nice first peek into japanese architecture and aesthetics, it's cultural origins and its influence on western and modern architecture.

Maybe the biggest eye opener was the huge extent of japanese influence on modern --and in particular scandinavian-- architecture and design. It makes sense that a culture like japan's, with acceptance and appreciation of impermanence, limited space in cities, and with shinto animist reverence for spirit-inhabited (kami) rocks, trees, water falls --or tea pots-- should achieve an envied aesthetic culture. I find it reassuring to think that many priniciples found in (good) modern architecture, has not come out of the blue, but has seen many centuries of good, practical use in Japan.

Good design brings out the beauty and qualities of the few things by not overcrowding them with many other things (ma), by manufacturing to perfection, by welcoming graceful aging and patina. Also, japanese architecture (as well as modern architecure) emphasizes the importance of a dwelling's connection to the elements and the best in its environment. This is perhaps most clearly expressed in the tsuboniwa, the small courtyard with a small tree, some moss, some rocks that is sometimes situated right in the middle of a house.

The book is very aesthetically well put together with probably hundreds of beautiful pictures. Often these picture seem only abstractly related to the text, for example a sliver of light on a piece of rock, or a picture of the stem of a dead, knotty tree that seemed to have lived centuries, perhaps meant to evoke the reader's own thoughts.

[Coralia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully designed book (and object). It carefully threads Danish and Japanese design throughout history, explaining the interweaving exchanges between Western and Eastern values and aesthetics and how they interacted and still impact, one another.
The photographs are poetic, elegant, and truly serve their purpose in both illustrating and inspiring throughout the reading. They speak for themselves, but I admit I would have loved to have them referenced to know where they were taken. (too much pragmatism?)
That was the perfect reading to start 2026. Stillness will let your mind be at peace.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting to see Japanese aesthetics but then also how it overlaps with and later influenced aspects of Scandinavian design.