The Japanese House Reinvented

by Philip Jodidio

An overview of 50 recent houses whose daring forms respond to challenging constraints, demonstrating Japan's enduring commitment to design innovation. Although Japanese architects have to contend with very particular constraints, from tiny plots in crowded urban contexts to ever-present seismic threats, their innovative solutions to the creation of space and stable structures, combined with their close attention to materials, technology and natural light, have resulted in homes that are internationally admired. This overview of fifty recently built Japanese houses includes projects by three Pritzker Prize-winners - Tadao Ando, Shigeru Ban and Kazuyo Sejima as well as by lesser-known emerging architects. Each house is clearly illustrated with colour photographs and plans, and is lucidly described by Philip Jodidio, who has travelled extensively around Japan and is deeply familiar with these projects and their creators. His book is a powerful demonstration of Japan’s enduring commitment to design innovation.

Genres: Architecture, Japan, Design

304 pages, Hardcover

First published April 21, 2015

Reviews

[Nell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of homes remarkable for their mostly small size (many well under 1,000 SF). I like many of the exterior materials (metal, fiber-cement board, wood cladding). The interiors are beautiful for natural materials, creative volumes, and courtyards, but with few furnishings it's difficult to tell how anyone would actually live in them. I like spareness, but, like Mies's Farnsworth house, where does one put the stuff of living?

[Nicola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiringly beautiful houses, using (for the most part) tiny plots of land to hold remarkable dwellings filled with light and more space than you'd think possible. I felt rested after reading it; serene and content, despite living in a clutter Western apartment.

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic, especially custom concrete curves, warm stone structures

[Leonard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't read much of the text in this book but scrutinized all the pictures and, as in much architecture photography, was impressed with the pictures and many of the structures depicted.